CoChat
Sign Up
Cited by 1,930Physical Activity and HealthCardiovascular and exercise physiologyExercise and Physiological Responses

The effects of acute exercise on cognitive performance: a meta-analysis

Open access
Chang, Y.K., Labban, J.D., Gapin, J.I., Etnier, J.L.·2012·Brain Research
DOI 10.1016/j.brainres.2012.02.068
Open this paper in CoChat — free accountOpen PDF

Abstract

There is a substantial body of literature related to the effects of a single session of exercise on cognitive performance. The premise underlying this research is that physiological changes in response to exercise have implications for cognitive function. This literature has been reviewed both narratively and meta-analytically and, although the research findings are mixed, researchers have generally concluded that there is a small positive effect. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to provide an updated comprehensive analysis of the extant literature on acute exercise and cognitive performance and to explore the effects of moderators that have implications for mechanisms of the effects. Searches of electronic databases and examinations of reference lists from relevant studies resulted in 79 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Consistent with past findings, analyses indicated that the overall effect was positive and small (g=0.097 n=1034). Positive and small effects were also found in all three acute exercise paradigms: during exercise (g=0.101; 95% confidence interval [CI]; 0.041-0.160), immediately following exercise (g=0.108; 95% CI; 0.069-0.147), and after a delay (g=0.103; 95% CI; 0.035-0.170). Examination of potential moderators indicated that exercise duration, exercise intensity, type of cognitive performance assessed, and participant fitness were significant moderators. In conclusion, the effects of acute exercise on cognitive performance are generally small; however, larger effects are possible for particular cognitive outcomes and when specific exercise parameters are used.

The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.

Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.

A few free checks a day · papers already verified open instantly · results are public

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/j.brainres.2012.02.068

Cites

109 of 109 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Claims the paper makes

The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.

Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.

A few free checks a day · papers already verified open instantly · results are public

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Previous meta-analyses have shown that enhanced cognitive functioning as a result of physical activity is most clearly seen in executive functions and attention.

    “Within the preadolescent age range, previous meta-analyses have shown that enhanced cognitive functioning as a result of physical activity is most clearly seen in executive functions 12 and attention.8”

    From Effects of physical activity on executive functions, attention and academic performance in preadolescent children: a meta-analysis (2018) · cites this paper as [8]

    Section 2.4 reports that attention tasks were among the categories with the largest benefits immediately after acute exercise, supporting the attention portion of the claim. But Section 2.1 says most included studies tested young adults and only nine tested participants aged 5–20; the reported attention finding is not specific to preadolescents. Page numbers are unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.87)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Overall, findings strongly indicate that transient cognitive benefits can follow single acute bouts of physical activity; these effects appear strongest for preadolescent children and older adults and for moderate intensity, with 11 to 20 minutes as the optimal duration.

    “Overall, the findings strongly indicate that transient cognitive benefits may be derived following single acute bouts of PA. Such effects appear strongest for preadolescent children and older adults and for a PA dose of moderate intensity (65–68), with further evidence supporting 11-20 minutes in duration as the optimal range for enhancing cognitive function (65).”

    From Physical Activity, Cognition, and Brain Outcomes: A Review of the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines (2019) · cites this paper as [65]

  • Physical activity bouts lasting 11 to 20 minutes produced the greatest cognitive benefits, while bouts shorter than 11 minutes or longer than 20 minutes had smaller effects.

    “PA bouts lasting 11-20 minutes demonstrated the greatest benefits, with bouts lasting less than 11 minutes or more than 20 minutes having smaller effects on cognition (65).”

    From Physical Activity, Cognition, and Brain Outcomes: A Review of the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines (2019) · cites this paper as [65]

  • Studies show a small, transient improvement in cognition after a single acute bout of physical activity, with effect sizes from 0.014 to 0.67 across six systematic reviews and meta-analyses summarizing 12 to 79 studies.

    “Studies demonstrate a small, transient improvement in cognition following the cessation of a single, acute bout of PA, with effect sizes (Cohen’s d, Cohen’s k, and Hedges’ g) ranging from 0.014 to 0.67 across six SRs and meta-analyses that summarized 12-79 studies (27, 65–68).”

    From Physical Activity, Cognition, and Brain Outcomes: A Review of the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines (2019) · cites this paper as [65]

  • Reported acute effects were most consistent for executive function, but significant benefits were also found for processing speed, attention, and memory.

    “Reported effects were most consistent for domains of executive function (65–68), but significant benefits were also realized for processing speed, attention (although see (27) for a discrepant finding) and memory (65, 66, 68).”

    From Physical Activity, Cognition, and Brain Outcomes: A Review of the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines (2019) · cites this paper as [65]

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

The self-check needs the paper’s full text.

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 12

  1. [28]28. Khan et al., 2001 K.S. Khan, G. Riet, J. Popay, J. Nixon, J. Kleijnen Study quality assessment K.S. Khan, G. Riet, J. Glanville, A.J. Sowden, J. Kleijnen (Eds.), Undertaking Systematic Reviews of Research on Effectiveness: CRD's Guidance for Those Carrying Out or Commissioning Reviews, NHS Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, New York (2001), p.
  2. [30]30. Lamberts and Goldstone, 2005 K. Lamberts, R.L. Goldstone (Eds.), The Handbook of Cognition, Sage, London (2005)
  3. [32]32. Lezak et al., 2004 M.D. Lezak, D.B. Howieson, D.W. Loring Neuropsychological Assessment (fourth ed.)Oxford University Press, New York (2004)
  4. [33]33. Lipsey and Wilson, 2000 M.W. Lipsey, D.B. Wilson Practical Meta-analysis, vol. 49Sage, Thousand Oak, CA (2000)
  5. [34]34. McMorris, 1995 T. McMorris The effect of exercise on simple reaction time R. Vanfraechem-Raway, Y. Vanden Auweele (Eds.), Proceedings of the IXth European Congress on Sport Psychology, Belgian Federation of Sport Psychology, Brussels (1995), pp. 952-959
  6. [55]55. Barnes, D. L., 2000. The effect of exercise-induced physiological arousal on working memory. Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation, North Carolina State University, Raleigh.
  7. [67]67. *Delignieres et al., 1994 D. *Delignieres, J. Brisswalter, P. Legros Influence of physical exercise on choice reaction time in sports experts: the mediating role of resource allocation J. Hum. Mov. Stud., 27 (1994), pp. 173-188
  8. [81]81. Kenney, J. L., 2006. The dose-response effects of melatonin ingestion on sustained exercise, thermoregulation, and associated neurobehavioral assessments. Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation, Boston University, Boston.
  9. [88]88. McMorris and Graydon, 1996a T. *McMorris, J. Graydon Effect of exercise on soccer decision-making tasks of differing complexities J. Hum. Mov. Stud., 30 (1996), pp. 177-193 *
  10. [96]96. Pesce et al., 2002 C. *Pesce, L. Capranica, A. Tessitore, F. Figura Effects of a sub-maximal physical load on the orienting and focusing of visual attention J. Hum. Mov. Stud., 42 (2002), pp. 401-420
  11. [98]98. Pesce et al., 2004 C. *Pesce, R. Casella, L. Capranica Modulation of visuospatial attention at rest and during physical exercise: gender differences Int. J. Sport Psychol., 35 (2004), pp. 328-341
  12. [105]105. Rong, N., 1986. The effects of exhaustive exercise on fractionated hand and leg reaction time (fatigue). Master of Science Master's Thesis, Central Michigan University.

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Chang, Y. K., Labban, J. D., Gapin, J. I., & Etnier, J. L.
Affiliations
University of North Carolina at Greensboro (US)
Corresponding author
Etnier, J.L.
ORCID
Venue
Brain Research
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2012-05
Volume
1453
Pages
87-101
ISSN
0006-8993 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.brainres.2012.02.068
OpenAlex
W2011039678
Cited by
1,930
References
107
Citations by year
2026: 144 · 2025: 173 · 2024: 192 · 2023: 179 · 2022: 181 · 2021: 191 · 2020: 163 · 2019: 189 · 2018: 140 · 2017: 103 · 2016: 98 · 2015: 74 · 2014: 69 · 2013: 24 · 2012: 8
FWCI
6.02
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Brain Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • NC Digital Online Collection of Knowledge and Scholarship (The University of North Carolina at Greensboro) (submittedVersion)
Funders
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
Keywords
acute exercise, cognitive performance, exercise and cognition, exercise duration, exercise intensity, physical fitness, cognitive outcomes
MeSH terms
Cognition, Humans, Neuropsychological Tests, Exercise

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review