Abstract
An increasing trend in the workplace is for employees to walk on treadmills while working to attain known health benefits; however, the effect of walking on a treadmill during cognitive control and executive function tasks is not well known. We compared the cognitive control processes of conflict adaptation (i.e., congruency sequence effects—improved performance following high-conflict relative to low-conflict trials), post-error slowing (i.e., Rabbitt effect), and response inhibition during treadmill walking (1.5 mph) relative to sitting. Understanding the influence of treadmill desks on these cognitive processes may have implications for worker health and productivity. Sixty-nine individuals were randomized to either a sitting (n = 35) or treadmill-walking condition (n = 34). Groups did not differ in age or body mass index. All participants completed a computerized Eriksen flanker task and a response-inhibition go/no-go task in random order while either walking on a treadmill or seated. Response times (RTs) and accuracy were analyzed separately for each task using mixed model analysis of variance. Separate ANOVAs for RTs and accuracy showed the expected conflict adaptation effects, post-error slowing, and response inhibition effects when collapsed across sitting and treadmill groups (all Fs > 78.77, Ps < 0.001). There were no main effects or interactions as a function of group for any analyses (Fs < 0.79, Ps > 0.38), suggesting no decrements or enhancements in conflict-related control and adjustment processes or response inhibition for those walking on a treadmill versus sitting. We conclude that cognitive control performance remains relatively unaffected during slow treadmill walking relative to sitting.
Highlights
IntroductionInsufficient physical activity combined with prolonged sedentary time (often occurring in the workplace) may increase risk of chronic disease (e.g., Healy et al, 2011)
Insufficient physical activity combined with prolonged sedentary time may increase risk of chronic disease (e.g., Healy et al, 2011)
Accuracy Accuracy data were very similar to the Response times (RTs) data
Summary
Insufficient physical activity combined with prolonged sedentary time (often occurring in the workplace) may increase risk of chronic disease (e.g., Healy et al, 2011). There is an increased need for workplace health interventions. Despite the benefits of multiple workplace programs, there remains a persistent need to improve work-related health behaviors (Tudor-Locke et al, 2014). There are clear health benefits of walking at work (Kitchen et al, 2011); most participants in workplace health interventions are volunteers that are already motivated to change their behavior (Marshal, 2004). Programs and activities that increase the rate of participation in health interventions in the workplace need to be considered
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