Facilitating effects of exercise on information processing

Authors: Karen Davranche; Michel Audiffren

Source: Journal of Sports Sciences, Volume 22, Number 5, May 2004 , pp. 419-428(10)

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Abstract:

The aim of this study was to examine the facilitating effects of moderate physical exercise on the reaction process to gain a better understanding of the interaction between physiological and cognitive processes. Sixteen participants with specific expertise in decision-making sports performed a double task consisting of choice reaction time while cycling. Signal quality, stimulus-response compatibility and time uncertainty were manipulated. Participants were tested at rest and while cycling at 20% and at 50% of their maximal aerobic power. A mood assessment questionnaire and a critical flicker fusion test were administered before and after the choice reaction time task. The results showed that moderate-intensity exercise (50% maximal aerobic power) improves cognitive performance and that low-intensity exercise (20% maximal aerobic power) enables participants to compensate the negative dual-task effect.

Keywords: additive factor method; arousal; cognitive-energetical model; critical flicker fusion; reaction time

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02640410410001675289

Publication date: 2004-05-01

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