Abstract Introduction Slow wave sleep (SWS) is thought to especially benefit declarative memory (i.e., memory for facts and events). As such, recent studies have used various methods to experimentally increase the amount of slow wave sleep that participants obtain, with the goal of assessing how SWS affects declarative memory consolidation. Studies dating back decades have reported that exercising before sleep may increase time spent in SWS. Thus, the aim of the current project was to determine whether exercising after learning verbal information enhances slow wave sleep during a subsequent nap and/or enhances memory for verbal information. Methods Participants who exercised regularly were recruited to attend two 2.5hr laboratory sessions. During each session, they trained on a paired associates learning task and then completed either a 20min cardiovascular exercise routine or a 20min stretching routine. Following a 1hr nap opportunity, participants were tested on their memory. PSG was recorded during the nap, and scored following AASM criteria. Participants were excluded from analysis if they failed to sleep for at least 10 min. Following exclusions, n=30 participants were included in analysis. Results Contrary to our hypotheses, there was no significant difference between the exercise and stretching conditions for minutes spent in slow wave sleep (p=.16), % time spent in slow wave sleep (p=.22), or raw improvement in paired associated performance (p=.23). The amount of SWS obtained during the nap did not correlate with performance in either condition (SWS min vs. memory in exercise condition: r28=.10, p=.60; sleep condition: r28=-.06, p=.74). Exercise did not affect time spent in any other sleep stage, nor did it affect total sleep time. Conclusion Contrary to our hypotheses and the results of prior research, we were unable to detect a significant effect of exercise on slow wave sleep. Also contrary to our hypotheses, exercise did not affect memory retention across the nap interval. These null results could indicate that there is no effect of exercise on nap sleep and/or associated memory retention. However, it could also be that we lacked sufficient power to detect effects that were smaller than expected. Support (if any):