Abstract
Background and Objective: The transient hypofrontality hypothesis predicts that memory function will be impaired during high-intensity exercise, as a result of a need for metabolic and cognitive resources to be allocated toward sustaining movement, as opposed to performing a cognitive task. The purpose of these experiments was to evaluate this transient hypofrontality hypothesis. Materials and Methods: Experiment 1 involved participants (n = 24; Mage = 21.9 years) completing four counterbalanced visits. Two visits evaluated working memory function, either at rest or during a high-intensity bout of acute exercise. The other two visits evaluated episodic memory function, either at rest or during a high-intensity bout of acute exercise. Experiment 2 (n = 24; Mage = 20.9 years) extended Experiment 1 by evaluating memory function (working memory) across 4 counterbalanced conditions, including at rest and during light (30% of heart rate reserve; HRR), moderate (50% HRR) and high-intensity (80% HRR) acute exercise. Results: Experiment 1 demonstrated that, when compared to rest, both working memory and episodic memory were impaired during high-intensity acute exercise. Experiment 2 replicated this effect, but then also showed that, unlike high-intensity acute exercise, memory function was not impaired during low- and moderate-intensity acute exercise. Conclusions: Our experiments provide support for the transient hypofrontality hypothesis. Both working memory and episodic memory are impaired during high-intensity acute exercise. Working memory does not appear to be impaired during lower exercise intensities.
Highlights
Episodic memory function refers to the retrospective recall of information from a spatial–temporal context, whereas working memory refers to the transient use of information to execute a behavior while concurrently processing conflicting stimuli [1,2]
Working memory capacity is thought to be heavily dependent on the prefrontal cortex [3], whereas episodic memory function relies on medial temporal lobe structures, such as the hippocampus [4]
Memory function may be enhanced if the acute bout of exercise occurs prior to the memory task, whereas if it occurs during the memory task, memory performance is likely to be reduced [9,10]
Summary
Episodic memory function refers to the retrospective recall of information from a spatial–temporal context, whereas working memory refers to the transient use of information to execute a behavior while concurrently processing conflicting stimuli [1,2]. As we have demonstrated experimentally, high-intensity acute exercise can enhance both episodic and working memory capacity [6,7,8]. For Experiment 2, we evaluated memory performance at low (30%), moderate (50%), and high-intensity (80%) acute exercise. The transient hypofrontality hypothesis predicts that memory function will be impaired during high-intensity exercise, as a result of a need for metabolic and cognitive resources to be allocated toward sustaining movement, as opposed to performing a cognitive task. The purpose of these experiments was to evaluate this transient hypofrontality hypothesis
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