Abstract
Single bouts of aerobic exercise and meditation have been shown to improve cognitive function. Yet to be examined in the literature, we sought to examine the effects of a combination of acute bouts of aerobic exercise and meditation on cognitive function among young adults. Participants (n = 66, mean (SD) age = 21 (2)) were randomly assigned to walk then meditate, meditate then walk, or to sit (inactive control). All walking and meditation bouts were 10 min in duration. Participants’ cognition was monitored before and after the intervention using Identification, Set Shifting, Stroop, and Trail Making tasks. Additionally, a subjective assessment of cognitive function was implemented before and after the intervention. Significant group by time interaction effects were observed when examining the Stroop congruent trials (P = 0.05). Post hoc paired t-tests revealed that reaction time significantly decreased from baseline to post-intervention in both combination groups (P < 0.001 for both), but not in the control group (P = 0.09). Regarding all other cognitive assessments, there were no significant group by time interaction effects (P > 0.05). Cognitive function was not substantially affected by a combination of brief meditation and exercise, though there is evidence to suggest that this combination may have beneficial effects on certain aspects of cognition. Future work should be conducted to evaluate the influences of different doses of exercise and meditation on cognitive functioning.
Highlights
The numerous academic demands placed on college students warrant a thorough investigation of methods for promoting optimal levels of cognitive functioning
Mental and physical (MAP) training [11]—a combination of focused attention meditation, a mindfulness-based walk, and a session of submaximal cycling—has been shown to reduce ruminative tendencies and improve cognitive control processes among those suffering from depression [12]
Participants were provided a definition of mindfulness
Summary
The numerous academic demands placed on college students warrant a thorough investigation of methods for promoting optimal levels of cognitive functioning. Aerobic exercise training has been shown to have favorable effects on cognitive function [1], including acute bouts of aerobic exercise [2,3]. Substantial attention has focused on the effects of acute exercise on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) [5], which may help to improve cognitive task performance via (for example) neuronal and synaptic growth as well as long-term potentiation [7]. Even brief (e.g., four-session) mindfulness meditation training has been found to be effective in improving cognition [9]. Mental and physical (MAP) training [11]—a combination of focused attention meditation, a mindfulness-based walk, and a session of submaximal cycling (all performed in succession)—has been shown to reduce ruminative tendencies and improve cognitive control processes among those suffering from depression [12]
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