Abstract
Arousal–performance theories suggest an inverted-U effect of acute exercise on cognition. Research shows little support for this. Moderate intensity appears to have a positive effect on speed of undertaking all cognitive tasks but especially working memory tasks. This would be as predicted by cognitive–energetic, arousal–performance theories. Results for cognition during heavy exercise are fairly equivocal, although speed of undertaking autonomous tasks is facilitated. Drive theory would predict this latter finding but the equivocal results for attention/perception and working memory tasks cannot be explained by cognitive–energetic, arousal–performance theories. This may be due to the link between exercise intensity and increases in stress level being too simplistic and limitations in the interpretation of how stress affects cognition; hence, the necessity to examine the acute exercise–cognition interaction from neuroscientific perspectives as well as cognitive psychology.
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