Cited by 339Physical Activity and HealthCardiovascular and exercise physiologyCognitive Functions and Memory

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A primer on investigating the after effects of acute bouts of physical activity on cognition

Pontifex, Matthew B., McGowan, Amanda L., Chandler, Madison C., Gwizdala, Kathryn L., Parks, Andrew C., Fenn, Kimberly, Kamijo, Keita·2019·Psychology of Sport and Exercise

DOI 10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.08.015

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Background
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“Previous research has speculated, in detail, on the mechanisms of this potential relationship (El-Sayes et al., 2019; Loprinzi et al., 2017, 2018; Pontifex et al., 2019).”
Background
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“, working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility) [11,60].”
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Examining the Acute Effects of Classroom-Based Physical Activity Breaks on Executive Functioning in 11- to 14-Year-Old Children: Single and Additive Moderation Effects of Physical Fitness
Graham, J. D., Bremer, E., Fenesi, B., & Cairney, J. (2021) · Frontiers in Pediatrics · doi:10.3389/fped.2021.688251 · Cited by 37
“We chose not to formulate hypotheses relating to dose due to discrepancies within the extant literature regarding the limited number of studies conducted utilizing bouts lasting <10-min (10), the fact that few studies have directly compared the effects of varying durations within a single study [e.”
BackgroundMethodInfluential
Acute effects of physical activity on cognitive function in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Sibbick, E., Boat, R., Sarkar, M., Groom, M. J., & Cooper, S. B. (2022) · Mental health and physical activity · doi:10.1016/j.mhpa.2022.100469 · Cited by 30
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Wade, L., Lubans, D. R., Smith, J. J., & Duncan, M. J. (2020) · Psychology of sport and exercise · doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2020.101707 · Cited by 33
Shedding Light on the Effects of Moderate Acute Exercise on Working Memory Performance in Healthy Older Adults: An fNIRS Study
Stute, K., Hudl, N., Stojan, R., & Voelcker‐Rehage, C. (2020) · Brain Sciences · doi:10.3390/brainsci10110813 · Cited by 28
“Another influencing factor on the exercise-cognition relationship is the time point of cognitive task assessment post-exercise [5,6].”
BackgroundResultInfluential
Effect of Differing Durations of High-Intensity Intermittent Activity on Cognitive Function in Adolescents
Hatch, L. M., Dring, K. J., Williams, R. A., Sunderland, C. D., Nevill, M. E., & Cooper, S. B. (2021) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph182111594 · Cited by 31
“However, as highlighted in a prominent review, the modality and intensity of the exercise undertaken are also important, as these quantitative characteristics of the exercise interact with the exercise duration to influence the overall ‘dose’ of the activity [11].”
BackgroundInfluential
The Influence of Acute Sprint Interval Training on Cognitive Performance of Healthy Younger Adults
Herold, F., Behrendt, T., Meißner, C., Müller, N. G., & Schega, L. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph19010613 · Cited by 31
“, type of physical exercise, exercise intensity, and exercise duration) to effectively improve cognitive performance are largely unknown [1,2].”
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Feasibility of test administration and preliminary findings for cognitive control in the Burn 2 learn pilot randomised controlled trial
Leahy, A. A., Michels, M. F. I., Eather, N., Hillman, C. H., Shigeta, T. T., Lubans, D. R., & Smith, J. J. (2020) · Journal of Sports Sciences · doi:10.1080/02640414.2020.1756673 · Cited by 26
Acute exercise effects on inhibitory control and the pupillary response in young adults
Shigeta, T. T., Morris, T. P., Henry, D. A., Kucyi, A., Bex, P. J., Kramer, A. F., & Hillman, C. H. (2021) · International Journal of Psychophysiology · doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2021.08.006 · Cited by 29
A Review of Factors Affecting the Acute Exercise-Cognition Relationship in Children and Adolescents
Williams, R. A., Hatch, L. M., & Cooper, S. B. (2019) · OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine · doi:10.21926/obm.icm.1903049 · Cited by 27
“30 min- post ↑ memory performance post exercise compared to rest Only team games (high CE) significantly enhanced both immediate and delayed memory performance Pontifex et al.[3] n = 20 9 – 10 yrs 9.8 ± 0.1 yrs D: 20 min I: MOD 65%-75% HR max M: Treadmill running vs. seated reading (control) Modified EFT (Executive Fu…”
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Evaluation of Probiotics for Warfighter Health and Performance
Agans, R., Giles, G. E., Goodson, M. S., Karl, J. P., Leyh, S. M., Mumy, K. L., Racicot, K., & Soares, J. W. (2020) · Frontiers in Nutrition · doi:10.3389/fnut.2020.00070 · Cited by 26
Effects of Physical Exercise Breaks on Executive Function in a Simulated Classroom Setting: Uncovering a Window into the Brain
Yu, Q., Zhang, Z., Ludyga, S., Erickson, K. I., Cheval, B., Hou, M., Pindus, D. M., Hillman, C. H., Kramer, A. F., Falck, R. S., et al. (2025) · Advanced Science · doi:10.1002/advs.202406631 · Cited by 27
Self-citation
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The acute effects of physical exercise breaks on cognitive function during prolonged sitting: The first quantitative evidence
Li, J., Herold, F., Ludyga, S., Yu, Q., Zhang, X., & Zou, L. (2022) · Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice · doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101594 · Cited by 26
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“The transient effects of acute PA are not only evinced at the behavioral, or molecular and cellular levels but also at the functional brain level (e.g., cerebral blood flow [CBF]), which is hypothesized to mediate the acute effects of PA on cognitive performance (Pontifex et al. 2019).”
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Effect of cognitively engaging physical activity on executive functions in children
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“In addition, few studies have investigated whether affect may mediate any relationship between PA and EFs, and whether fitness may moderate any relationship between PA and EFs, despite evidence showing their likely involvement (Best, 2010; Diamond, 2015; Kao et al., 2017; Pontifex et al., 2019).”
Background
Infusing Physical Activity into Early Childhood Classrooms: Guidance for Best Practices
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“…activity has been associated with the primary components that make up self-regulation including working memory, attention, and inhibitory control (Pontifex et al., 2019) and self-regulation is one of the key areas of early childhood development across provincial (de la Famille, 2019), state…”
InfluentialSelf-citation
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“About the latter, several neurobiological mechanisms explaining cognitive improvements after acute physical exercise are discussed in the literature (for review see Pontifex et al., 2019) but the exact drivers of exercise-induced cognitive performance improvements are still relatively unknown.”
Influential
Physical activity and its association with cognitive function in middle‐ and older‐aged Chinese: Evidence from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, 2015
Zhou, X., Liao, S., Qi, L., & Wang, R. (2021) · European Journal of Sport Science · doi:10.1080/17461391.2021.1897164 · Cited by 21
“Moreover, several neural processes and structures enhancing after a bout of hand-eye and foot-eye coordination in MPA have been documented (Pontifex et al., 2019).”
Background
Acute exercise and cognition: A review with testable questions for future research into cognitive enhancement with blood flow restriction
Yamada, Y., Frith, E., Wong, V. H. Y., Spitz, R. W., Bell, Z. W., Chatakondi, R. N., Abe, T., & Loenneke, J. P. (2021) · Medical Hypotheses · doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2021.110586 · Cited by 23
Acute High-Intensity Interval Exercise Improves Inhibitory Control Among Young Adult Males With Obesity
Xie, C., Alderman, B. L., Meng, F., Ai, J., Chang, Y., & Li, A.-M. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01291 · Cited by 23
Physical Exercise and Cognitive Function
Pastor, D., Ballester-Ferrer, J. A., Carbonell-Hernández, L., Baladzhaeva, S., & Cervelló, E. M. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph19159564 · Cited by 25
Effect of acute exercise on cognitive flexibility: Role of baseline cognitive performance
Mou, H., Tian, S., Yuan, Y., Sun, D., & Qiu, F. (2023) · Mental health and physical activity · doi:10.1016/j.mhpa.2023.100522 · Cited by 25
Exogenous Ketone Salts Do Not Improve Cognitive Performance During a Dual-Stress Challenge
Waldman, H. S., Shepherd, B. D., Egan, B., & McAllister, M. J. (2019) · International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism · doi:10.1123/ijsnem.2019-0122 · Cited by 21
Field Methods to Quantify Emergency Responder Fatigue: Lessons Learned from sUAS Deployment at the 2018 Kilauea Volcano Eruption
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The effect of acute exercise for reducing cognitive alterations associated with individuals high in anxiety
Pontifex, M. B., Parks, A. C., Paoli, A. G. D., Schroder, H. S., & Moser, J. S. (2021) · International Journal of Psychophysiology · doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2021.06.008 · Cited by 20
Self-citation
Acute effects of intense interval versus aerobic exercise on children's behavioral and neuroelectric measures of inhibitory control
Kao, S., Baumgartner, N. W., Noh, K., Wang, C., & Schmitt, S. A. (2023) · Journal of science and medicine in sport · doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2023.05.003 · Cited by 20
The brain in motion–cognitive effects of simultaneous motor activity
Schmidt‐Kassow, M., & Kaiser, J. (2023) · Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnint.2023.1127310 · Cited by 25
An integrated model of acute exercise on memory function
Loprinzi, P. D. (2019) · Medical Hypotheses · doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2019.03.010 · Cited by 23
Physical Exercise and Fitness Level Are Related to Cognitive and Psychosocial Functioning in Adolescents
Reigal, R. E., Hernández-Mendo, A., de Mier, R. J.-R., & Morales‐Sánchez, V. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01777 · Cited by 23
Dose–response relation between the duration of a cognitively challenging bout of physical exercise and children's cognition
Anzeneder, S., Zehnder, C., Schmid, J., Martin‐Niedecken, A. L., Schmidt, M., & Benzing, V. (2023) · Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports · doi:10.1111/sms.14370 · Cited by 22
“, the effect of duration on executive control; F (3, 101) = 0.”
BackgroundMethodInfluential
A Ketone Monoester with Carbohydrate Improves Cognitive Measures Postexercise, but Not Performance in Trained Females
Waldman, H. S., O'Neal, E. K., Barker, G. A., Witt, C. R., Lara, D. A., Huber, A. K., Forsythe, V. N., Koutnik, A. P., D’Agostino, D. P., Staiano, W., et al. (2023) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1249/mss.0000000000003352 · Cited by 23
Physical Exercise Intensity During Submersion Selectively Affects Executive Functions
Möller, F. N., Hoffmann, U., Dalecki, M., Dräger, T., Doppelmayr, M. M., & Steinberg, F. (2019) · Human Factors The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society · doi:10.1177/0018720819879313 · Cited by 18
“, PE) may additionally alter cognitive performance in these conditions (Chang et al., 2015; Chang & Etnier, 2009; Hogervorst, Riedel, Jeukendrup, & Jolles, 1996; McMorris & Hale, 2012; Pontifex et al., 2018).”
BackgroundMethod
Early stages of the acute physical stress response increase loss aversion and learning on decision making: A Bayesian approach
Molins, F., Serrano, M. Á., & Alacreu‐Crespo, A. (2021) · Physiology & Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2021.113459 · Cited by 20
Meeting 24-hour movement behavior guidelines in young children: Improved quantity estimation and self-regulation
McGowan, A. L., Gerde, H. K., Pfeiffer, K. A., & Pontifex, M. B. (2022) · Early Education and Development · doi:10.1080/10409289.2022.2056694 · Cited by 22
“However, the physical activity literature has predominantly examined the relations between physical activity and components of executive function (Pontifex et al., 2019), thus we review relevant literature from both cognitive and personality perspectives of self-regulation.”
BackgroundSelf-citation
The role of physical exercise on the brain and cognitive functions of patients in recovery from substance use disorder: A narrative review and recommendations for researchers and practitioners
Cabral, D. A. R., Dongshi, W., Schuch, F. B., & Tavares, V. D. D. O. (2024) · Mental health and physical activity · doi:10.1016/j.mhpa.2024.100594 · Cited by 20
Acute Exercise-Induced Set Shifting Benefits in Healthy Adults and Its Moderators: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Oberste, M., Sharma, S., Bloch, W., & Zimmer, P. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.528352 · Cited by 23
“Still, the exact neurobiological mechanisms by which the process of set shifting occurs are still unknown (Ludyga et al., 2016; Pontifex et al., 2019).”
Background
A scoping review of effects of acute exercise on executive function: evidence from event-related potentials
Cai, Z., Shi, L., Wu, W., Meng, L., Ru, Y., & Wu, M. (2025) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1599861 · Cited by 18

Authors: Pontifex, M. B., McGowan, A. L., Chandler, M. C., Gwizdala, K. L., Parks, A. C., Fenn, K., & Kamijo, K.
Affiliations: Michigan State University (US)
University of Tsukuba (JP)
Corresponding author: Pontifex, Matthew B.
ORCID: Pontifex, Matthew B.
McGowan, Amanda L.
Chandler, Madison C.
Gwizdala, Kathryn L.
Parks, Andrew C.
Fenn, Kimberly
Kamijo, Keita
Venue: Psychology of Sport and Exercise
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2019-01
Volume: 40
Pages: 1-22
ISSN: 1469-0292 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.08.015
OpenAlex: W2889924106
Cited by: 339
References: 174
Citations by year: 2026: 40 · 2025: 50 · 2024: 39 · 2023: 51 · 2022: 59 · 2021: 37 · 2020: 37 · 2019: 24
FWCI: 16.45
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
www.elsevier.com/legal/tdmrep-license (tdm)
Locations: Psychology of sport and exercise (publishedVersion)
Topics: Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Physical Activity and Health
Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology (medical) › Cardiovascular and exercise physiology
Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Functions and Memory
Keywords: acute exercise, single bout exercise, exercise and cognition, dose-response relationship, moderators, experimental design, cognitive assessment, reporting transparency, research methodology

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A primer on investigating the after effects of acute bouts of physical activity on cognition

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