Abstract
This study investigated the immediate and delayed effects of moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) and high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) on working memory. Fifty healthy young adults (mean age = 19.96 ± 1.03 years) engaged in (1) a MICE session, 20 min of continuous running on a treadmill at an intensity of 40–59% of heart rate reserve (HRR); (2) a HIIE session, 10 sets of 1 min running at an intensity of 90% HRR, interspersed by 1 min self-paced walking at 50% HRR; and (3) a control session, resting in a chair and reading books for 24 min. A spatial 2-back task was performed to assess working memory before, immediately after and 30 min after each intervention. Reaction time in the 2-back task was significantly reduced immediately after both MICE and HIIE interventions. The enhanced working memory associated with HIIE sustained for 30 min after the exercise, whereas the beneficial effects associated with MICE returned to the pre-exercise level at 30 min after the exercise. These results suggest that although both MICE and HIIE enhance working memory in young adults, the positive effect sustains longer in HIIE than that in MICE. The current study extends the existing knowledge base by suggesting that improvements in working memory with HIIE last longer than with MICE.
Highlights
Working memory refers to the ability to actively store and manipulate task-relevant information in a short period of time, which is a core component of executive function (Baddeley, 2010; Diamond, 2013)
Previous studies used a single bout of moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE), a traditional exercise, as an intervention program to explore the relation between exercise and working memory
A paired-sample t-test of mean HR and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) for MICE and high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) found that HIIE elicited a higher HR (163.83 ± 7.77 bpm vs. 135.00 ± 4.94 bpm, p < 0.001) and greater PRE (16.10 ± 2.43 vs. 12.22 ± 2.12, p < 0.001) relative to MICE (Table 1)
Summary
Working memory refers to the ability to actively store and manipulate task-relevant information in a short period of time, which is a core component of executive function (Baddeley, 2010; Diamond, 2013). Working memory is essential in achieving academic success and solving complex cognitive tasks in daily life (Kao et al, 2017a). Previous studies used a single bout of moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE), a traditional exercise, as an intervention program to explore the relation between exercise and working memory. Significant improvement in working memory after MICE cessation has been reported (Weng et al, 2015; Chen et al, 2016; Dodwell et al, 2019). In addition to traditional continuous exercise, high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE), which is defined as repetitive high-intensity exercise interspersed with recovery periods of light intensity (Kao et al, 2017b), has been recognized as one of the most effective methods for improving exercise
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