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Effects of Acute Exercise on Long-Term Memory

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Jeffrey Labban (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Jennifer Etnier

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine whether acute aerobic exercise of moderate intensity has an effect on cognitive performance on a long-term memory task; and secondly, if that effect is influenced by the order in which the exercise is introduced relative to the memory task. Sixty-four college students composed the sample, which was divided into four conditions: exercise-rest, rest-exercise, exercise-exercise, and rest-rest. Recall was assessed using the Standard New York University (NYU) Paragraphs for immediate and delayed recall. Participants were read two separate paragraphs. Following a 35-minute delay, participants were then asked to recount as much of the paragraphs as they could, as close to verbatim as possible. The first word in each condition denotes the participant's task prior to paragraph exposure, and the second denotes their task during the 35-minute delay. ANOVA examining differences in delayed recall performance between the two groups completing one bout of exercise (exercise-rest and rest-exercise) and the rest-rest group was significant, F(2,45) = 4.37, p = 0.018. Helmert planned contrast revealed that the exercise-rest group performed significantly better on delayed recall testing than all other groups, F(1,32) = 3.81, p<0.05. These results provide indication that an acute bout of exercise may positively influence performance on a delayed recall task.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 2007
Keywords
Exercise, Memory
Subjects
Long-term memory $x Physiological aspects.
Cognition $x Effect of exercise on.
Cognition $x Physiological aspects.
Exercise $x Psychological aspects.