Effect of a Single Bout of Acute Aerobic Exercise at Moderate-to-Vigorous Intensities on Motor Learning, Retention and Transfer.

Håvard Lorås,Monika Haga,Hermundur Sigmundsson

doi:10.3390/sports8020015

Håvard Lorås, Monika Haga + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/sports8020015

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Abstract

Acute exercise influences human cognition, and evidence suggests that learning can be improved. According to the cognitive–energetic approach towards exercise cognition, exercise represents a stressor that elevates physiological arousal, which, in turn, increases the availability of mental resources. However, the degree of arousal is hypothesized to have optimal and suboptimal states, and moderate intensity exercise is thus considered to be favorable compared to low intensity and vigorous exercise. The current evidence for such a moderating effect of exercise intensity on motor learning, however, appears somewhat mixed. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the effect of aerobic exercise conducted with different exercise intensities on immediate practice, transfer, and 24-h retention of a motor skill. To this end, young adults (n = 40, mean (SD) age: 23.80 (1.98) years) were randomized to exercise at either 50% or 75% of age-predicted maximal heart rate according to the Karvonen formulae. Immediately after exercising, participants practiced a high-precision golf putting task in a blocked design. Retention and transfer of skill were assessed after 24 h. Results indicated that both groups demonstrated motor learning, retention, and transfer at a similar level. Further works are thus needed to establish the specific relationship between exercise and learning and establish the factors that have an influence.

Highlights

A single bout of acute cardiovascular exercise performed just before practice is hypothesized to influence learning in a time-dependent fashion by an effect on the processes involved in encoding and consolidation [1]
The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of a single bout of aerobic exercise conducted at moderate or vigorous intensity on motor practice, 24-hour retention, and transfer
The findings indicated an overall improvement in golf putting accuracy, albeit with no statistical difference conducted at moderate or vigorous intensity on practice, 24-hour retention, andnotransfer

Summary

Introduction

A single bout of acute cardiovascular exercise performed just before practice is hypothesized to influence learning in a time-dependent fashion by an effect on the processes involved in encoding and consolidation [1]. As well as on aspects of working memory processes [3]. Skeletal muscles can act as endocrine organs capable of secreting molecules that increase the availability of neurochemicals relevant for neuroplasticity [6]. Lactate released from working skeletal muscles might significantly contribute to brain metabolism and modulate several brain processes [7,8]. Acute exercise may impact neuroplasticity in cortico-spinal pathways [9] as well as increase the excitability of central brain areas involved in motor learning, such as the primary motor cortex and supplemental motor

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