Aerobic exercise and aerobic fitness level do not modify motor learning

Andrea Hung,Catherine M Sabiston,Jenna B Gillen,Walter Swardfager,Joyce L Chen,Marc Roig

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-84764-y

Abstract

Motor learning may be enhanced when a single session of aerobic exercise is performed immediately before or after motor skill practice. Most research to date has focused on aerobically trained (AT) individuals, but it is unknown if aerobically untrained (AU) individuals would equally benefit. We aimed to: (a) replicate previous studies and determine the effect of rest (REST) versus exercise (EXE) on motor skill retention, and (b) explore the effect of aerobic fitness level (AU, AT), assessed by peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), on motor skill retention after exercise. Forty-four participants (20–29 years) practiced a visuomotor tracking task (acquisition), immediately followed by 25-min of high-intensity cycling or rest. Twenty-four hours after acquisition, participants completed a motor skill retention test. REST and EXE groups significantly improved motor skill performance during acquisition [F(3.17, 133.22) = 269.13, P = 0.001], but had no group differences in motor skill retention across time. AU-exercise (VO2peak = 31.6 ± 4.2 ml kg−1 min−1) and AT-exercise (VO2peak = 51.5 ± 7.6 ml kg−1 min−1) groups significantly improved motor skill performance during acquisition [F(3.07, 61.44) = 155.95, P = 0.001], but had no group differences in motor skill retention across time. Therefore, exercise or aerobic fitness level did not modify motor skill retention.

Highlights

Motor learning may be enhanced when a single session of aerobic exercise is performed immediately before or after motor skill practice
If participants met the aerobic fitness level criteria, they were invited to complete the remainder of the study (Visit 2: motor skill acquisition, followed by either rest or exercise; Visit 3: motor skill retention test)
One participant in the aerobically trained (AT)-EXE group was excluded from analyses because they did not follow the directions during motor skill acquisition, despite repeated attempts by the researcher to reiterate the instructions

Summary

Introduction

Motor learning may be enhanced when a single session of aerobic exercise is performed immediately before or after motor skill practice. Emerging research suggests a single session of aerobic exercise may enhance motor learning when the exercise is performed immediately before or after practice of a new motor skill (for neuroplasticity mechanisms, refer to later section below)[4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13]. Other forms of high-intensity exercise, such as circuit training, resistance training, and sport applications may enhance motor learning[14] This prior body of literature has mainly investigated individuals with high aerobic fitness, typically assessed by peak oxygen uptake ( VO2peak) during a maximal graded exercise test. Did not demonstrate a statistically significant effect of aerobic exercise on motor learning, albeit 25% greater motor skill retention in the exercise group compared to control[17]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion