Abstract
Long-term exercise is associated with improved performance on a variety of cognitive tasks including attention, executive function, and long-term memory. Remarkably, recent studies have shown that even a single bout of aerobic exercise can lead to immediate improvements in declarative learning and memory, but less is known about the effect of exercise on motor learning. Here we sought to determine the effect of a single bout of moderate intensity aerobic exercise on motor skill learning. In experiment 1, we investigated the effect of moderate aerobic exercise on motor acquisition. 24 young, healthy adults performed a motor learning task either immediately after 30 minutes of moderate intensity running, after running followed by a long rest period, or after slow walking. Motor skill was assessed via a speed-accuracy tradeoff function to determine how exercise might differentially affect two distinct components of motor learning performance: movement speed and accuracy. In experiment 2, we investigated both acquisition and retention of motor skill across multiple days of training. 20 additional participants performed either a bout of running or slow walking immediately before motor learning on three consecutive days, and only motor learning (no exercise) on a fourth day. We found that moderate intensity running led to an immediate improvement in motor acquisition for both a single session and on multiple sessions across subsequent days, but had no effect on between-day retention. This effect was driven by improved movement accuracy, as opposed to speed. However, the benefit of exercise was dependent upon motor learning occurring immediately after exercise–resting for a period of one hour after exercise diminished the effect. These results demonstrate that moderate intensity exercise can prime the nervous system for the acquisition of new motor skills, and suggest that similar exercise protocols may be effective in improving the outcomes of movement rehabilitation programs.
Highlights
It is well known that regular physical activity has beneficial effects on cognitive function [1]
Consistent with our hypothesis, post-hoc analysis showed that the Aerobic group performed better than Control subjects (p = .017), but the Aerobic + Rest group did not (p = .165). These results indicate that aerobic exercise performed immediately before Sequential Visual Isometric Pinch Task (SVIPT) training increased motor acquisition, but resting for one hour after completing exercise diminished this effect
We have shown that a single bout of moderate intensity aerobic exercise can facilitate motor skill acquisition
Summary
It is well known that regular physical activity has beneficial effects on cognitive function [1]. A single bout of aerobic exercise subsequently enhanced vocabulary learning and memory [6], attention and processing speed [7], and delayed free recall [8]. These “priming” effects, are likely due to different mechanisms than those underlying the effect of chronic physical activity on cognition, such as transient increases in neurochemical substances during a single exercise session [7, 6] which may, in turn, promote neuroplasticity [9, 10, 11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
