The DOI matches its Crossref record; 109 of the 109 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
The effects of acute exercise on cognitive performance: A meta-analysis
Open accessAbstract
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.
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In the citing paper
“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]
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredIn the citing paper
“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]
In the citing paper
“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]
In the citing paper
“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]
In the citing paper
“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]
In the citing paper
“and other studies indicate that very light-, light-, and moderate-intensity PA benefited cognition, but hard-, very hard-, and maximal-intensity PA demonstrated no benefit (65, 80).”
From Physical Activity, Cognition, and Brain Outcomes: A Review of the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines (2019) · cites this paper as [65]
In the citing paper
“Meta-analyses have found AE interventions to improve cognitive performance across a variety of domains, including attention, executive functioning, processing speed, motor functioning, and memory in healthy young and middle aged adults (Etnier et al., 1997; Smith et al., 2010; Chang et al., 2012;”
From Aerobic Exercise as a Tool to Improve Hippocampal Plasticity and Function in Humans: Practical Implications for Mental Health Treatment (2016) · cites this paper as Chang et al., 2012
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Cites
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Flagged first, then by citations
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Physical Activity, Cognition, and Brain Outcomes: A Review of the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines
ERICKSON, K. I., HILLMAN, C., STILLMAN, C. M., BALLARD, R. M., BLOODGOOD, B., CONROY, D. E., MACKO, R., MARQUEZ, D. X., PETRUZZELLO, S. J., & POWELL, K. E. (2019) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1249/mss.0000000000001936 · Cited by 1,214
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Ludyga, S., Gerber, M., Brand, S., Holsboer‐Trachsler, E., & Pühse, U. (2016) · Psychophysiology · doi:10.1111/psyp.12736 · Cited by 589
Metadata
- 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.
- Venue
- Brain Research
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2012-05
- Volume
- 1453
- Pages
- 87-101
- ISSN
- 0006-8993 (ISSN-L)
- 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
- bronze
- doi.org
- 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 › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Physical Activity and Health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology (medical) › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology (medical) › 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
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