A test of the catecholamines hypothesis for an acute exercise–cognition interaction
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to examine the usage of norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) in the brain when exercising while simultaneously undertaking cognitive tests. Plasma concentrations of the NE metabolite 3-methoxy 4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) and the DA metabolite homovanillic acid (HVA) showed a linear increase from rest to exercising at 40% and 80% maximum power output (W.max) while simultaneously undertaking cognitive tasks (random number generation (RNG) and response time). Delta plasma concentrations of MHPG and HVA at each exercise intensity while undertaking cognitive tasks and while exercising without cognitive tasks did not differ. Taking blood samples at 0, 1, 3, and 5 min following cessation of exercise did not affect results. Regression correlations showed that delta MHPG and HVA plasma concentrations at the 1 and 3 min sampling times were strong predictors of delta RNG, response time and movement time. Reaction time at 80% W.max significantly increased, while movement time at 80% W.max significantly decreased. It was concluded that these results provide no support for a direct effect of increased catecholamines concentrations on cognitive performance during exercise. The regression data suggest that there is some relationship between exercise, catecholamines concentrations and cognition.
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Prolonged physical activity causes an increase in NA and 5-HT activation associated with regulation of synapse plasticity and signs of neuroprotection in the brain.
“Indeed, prolonged physical activity causes an increase in NA and 5-HT activation associated with regulation of synapse plasticity and the signs of neuroprotection in the brain [197,198].”
From BDNF as a Promising Therapeutic Agent in Parkinson’s Disease (2020) · cites this paper as [197]
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- Authors
- McMorris, T., Collard, K., Corbett, J., Dicks, M., & Swain, J. P.
- Affiliations
- University of Chichester (GB)
- University of Plymouth (GB)
- University of Portsmouth (GB)
- University of Otago (NZ)
- Canterbury Christ Church University (GB)
- Corresponding author
- McMorris, T.
- Venue
- Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2008-03
- Volume
- 89
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 106-115
- ISSN
- 0091-3057 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1989747921
- Cited by
- 192
- References
- 27
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 21 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 11
- FWCI
- 4.68
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- 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
- catecholamines, norepinephrine, dopamine, physical activity, cognitive performance, reaction time, MHPG, homovanillic acid, random number generation, movement time
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Catecholamines, Cognition, Exercise Test, Heart Rate, Homovanillic Acid, Humans, Male, Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol, Psychomotor Performance, Reaction Time, Regression Analysis, Exercise
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