Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify a practical method for engaging in exercise that could improve cognitive function. We tested whether cognitive function improves after exercise at subjectively selected intensity by using ratings of perceived exertion (RPE). In addition, we examined the relationship between the improvement in cognitive function and cardiac autonomic nervous system. METHODS: Twelve participants performed cognitive tasks in a running or resting condition with a randomized crossover design. In the running condition, the participants ran on a treadmill for 10 min at the running speed correspond to the RPE10-12 for each participant. Cognitive tasks including the Spatial Delayed Response task and Go/No-Go task were performed before and after running or resting. Cardiac autonomic nervous activity was obtained by calculating from heart rate variability during cognitive tasks. RESULTS: In the running condition, the RPE was 11.1 ± 0.8 immediately after running. Running at the RPE10-12 significantly improved reaction time in the Go trials (688 ± 191 [Pre] vs 568 ± 159 ms [Post], P < 0.05). In the resting condition, cognitive performance was unchanged throughout the experiment (628.5 ± 163.1 ms [Pre] vs 666.9 ± 139.7 ms [Post], P > 0.05). Parasympathetic nervous activity remained lower after running at RPE10-12 (586 ± 424 ms2 [Pre] vs 373 ± 322 ms2), but sympathetic nervous activity was not changed. Moreover, the Δ reaction time (Post-Pre) tended to be positively correlated with Δ parasympathetic nervous activity (r = 0.514, P = 0.088). In contrast, Δ reaction time was not associated with Δ sympathetic nervous activity (r = 0.177, P = 0.581). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that subjectively selected intensity of exercise can improve cognitive function. The improvement in cognitive function after exercise may be associated with cardiac autonomic nervous activity.
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