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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“The participants’ aerobic fitness was assessed using a test of maximal oxygen consumption following the completion of the spatial configuration task to ensure that relational memory acquisition was not altered as a result of the aerobic fitness test (Pontifex et al., 2019).”
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“The subjective intensity integrates the physiological and psychological signals related to the intensity [42] and may be better related to the cognitive response to acute exercise [33].”
Background
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Background
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“The long-discussed inverted-U relationship suggests that low levels of PE cause low arousal, moderate levels lead to optimal arousal, but excessive PE can interfere with neural processes, diminishing cognitive performances and affecting emotional state (McMorris, 2021; Pontifex et al., 2018).”
Background
Cognitive-motor entrainment enhances long-term episodic memory retention
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“…several complementary theoretical frameworks which provide a mechanistic basis for expecting acute PA-related changes in EF, such as increases in heart rate, cerebral blood flow, and neurochemical release which enhance pre-frontal cortex efficiency and therefore support EF (Pontifex et al., 2019).”
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“…pretest before each condition) that can arise from fluctuations in a variety of influencing factors, including learning/habituation effects, and/or changes in other participant-specific factors (e.g., motivation, mood or hydration status) (for reviews see Herold et al. 2021; Pontifex et al. 2019).”
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“…focused on neuroelectric activity associated with attentional resource allocation (e.g., the P3 component from event-related brain potential (ERP); Pontifex et al., 2019), considerable relevant cognitive-related information that may be contained in the electroencephalography (EEG) is lost because…”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialSelf-citation
Does intensity matter? A randomized crossover study of the role of acute exercise intensity on cognitive performance and motor speed and accuracy
Larson, M. J., Muir, A. M., Reid, R. O., Carbine, K. A., Marsh, H. D., LaCouture, H. M., McCutcheon, C. L., & Bailey, B. W. (2024) · Progress in brain research · doi:10.1016/bs.pbr.2024.01.001 · Cited by 2
Acute effects of resistance exercise intensity and repetition at a predetermined volume on inhibitory control: a randomized controlled trial
Chen, Y.-C., Lo, Y.-H., Hung, C.-S., Cheng, Y.-T., Li, R., Chen, F., & Chang, Y. (2025) · Frontiers in Sports and Active Living · doi:10.3389/fspor.2025.1551624 · Cited by 2
“Acute exercise — a single bout of exercise — has been shown to enhance executive function (19 – 22), primarily through mechanisms such as increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) release, which promotes synaptic plasticity and neuronal survival (23), and reduced central sensitization,…”
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“Nonetheless, aerobic exercise has been shown to acutely improve cognitive functions, such as decision-making quality and inhibitory executive process, despite increasing state mental fatigue (Wiśnik et al. 2011 ; Ogoh et al. 2014 ; Tsukamoto et al. 2016a , b, 2017 ; Pontifex et al. 2019).”
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The effects of acute exercise on emotional pattern separation in adolescents and young adults
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“With regard to the time needed for an acute bout of exercise to be beneficial for cognition, it should be noted that the majority of previous research used durations from 16 to 35 min (Pontifex et al., 2019).”
Diverse Intensities of Acute Aerobic Exercise Impacts Immediate and Short-Term Cognitive Functioning in Young Adults
Curry, C., Croce, R. V., & Spicer, G. (2025) · Perceptual and Motor Skills · doi:10.1177/00315125251339882 · Cited by 1
“…indicated that improvements in reaction and response times on MC and DT tasks were found immediately (1 min postexercise) and short-term (20 min postexercise), which is supported by the literature (Lambourne & Tomporowski, 2010; Martineau et al., 2023; Patil et al., 2017; Pontifex et al., 2019).”
The impact of targeted physical activity interventions on inhibition control in children and adolescents with ADHD: a meta-analysis
Min, Y., Chen, Y., & Liu, J. (2025) · European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry · doi:10.1007/s00787-025-02904-5 · Cited by 1
“While some studies claimed that acute interventions (e.g., acute aerobic exercise with 30 min) could temporarily improve IC [ 17, 41, 107], this meta-analysis did not find a signifi - cant effect, which could be explained by the temporarily increase in neurotransmitter levels [ 108 ].”
Together We Move, Together We Improve? Investigating The Role of Social Interaction in Physical Activity to Enhance Executive Functions
Zehnder, C., Schmidt, M., Affolter, P., Anzeneder, S., & Benzing, V. (2025) · Mental Health and Physical Activity · doi:10.1016/j.mhpa.2025.100747 · Cited by 1
Pedaling and schoolwork: Stability in academic performance, cognition, and neuroelectric function during moderate-intensity cycling in children
Drollette, E. S., Pasupathi, P. A., Cornwall, A. S., Herrera, B. M., & O’Brokta, M. M. (2026) · International Journal of Psychophysiology · doi:10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2026.113329 · Cited by 1
The effect of acute exercise combined with virtual reality on inhibitory control: an event-related potential study
Cheng, Y.-T., Huang, T.-Y., Hung, C.-S., Li, R.-H., Brazaitis, M., Hung, T., Xu, R., & Chang, Y.-K. (2026) · International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology · doi:10.1080/1612197x.2026.2620795 · Cited by 1
Moving the body or watching the screen: 20-minute exercise modulates brain activity and enhances cognitive performance in younger and older male adults
Wang, K., Chen, L.-J., Yu, C.-L., Chen, D.-T., Hung, T., & Hsieh, S. (2026) · Mental health and physical activity · doi:10.1016/j.mhpa.2026.100760 · Cited by 1
Effects of aerobic exercise and computer-based cognitive training on cognition, functional independence, quality of life, and salivary cortisol levels in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized trial
Khan, A. R., Aafreen, A., Khan, A., Ganesh, G. S., Aldhahi, M. I., Alshehri, M. M., & Shaphe, M. A. (2026) · Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnagi.2026.1776069 · Cited by 1
“Moreover, the extent to which cortisol inﬂuences cognitive performance across various interventions remains ambiguous, as is the potential for these interventions to elicit divergent cortisol response patterns (Pontifex et al., 2019).”
Effects of acute physical activity on executive functions: The role of cognitive engagement and social interaction
de Andrade, M. O. C., Pontifex, M. B., & Vazou, S. (2026) · Psychology of sport and exercise · doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2026.103192 · Cited by 1
Self-citation
A Time‐Centred Perspective on Classroom‐Based Physical Activity
Herold, F., Mavilidi, M. F., Vazou, S., Benzing, V., Martins, R., Bähr, F., Pesce, C., & Ludyga, S. (2026) · European Journal of Education · doi:10.1111/ejed.70752 · Cited by 1
Exercise and cognition in aging
Cadwallader, C. J., Taylor, E. M., Chong, T. T. ‐., Curtin, D., Hendrikse, J. J., Stout, J. C., & Coxon, J. P. (2022) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-89843-0.00010-6 · Cited by 1
The Influence of Plyometrics and Weight Training Exercises on Limbs Muscle Power in View of Limbs Muscle Endurance in Volleyball Players Aged 16-18 Years
Pujowigoro, Y., Sukarmin, Y., Nasrulloh, A., Nugroho, S., Guntur, G., & Manihuruk, F. (2023) · INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS · doi:10.47191/ijmra/v6-i6-71 · Cited by 1
“…by several studies that the key to successful training is the appropriateness of exercise dosing, because physical exercise can be analogous to medicine so it must be in accordance with the dose (Gronwald et al., 2020; Pontifex et al., 2019; Wasfy & Baggish, 2016; Zubin Maslov et al., 2018).”
Background
Role of light walking pace on cognition: Findings from the Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study
Ahmed, F. S., Guenther, B. A., Thompson, J. L., Lagerstrom, L., & Robbins, M. A. (2023) · Applied Neuropsychology Adult · doi:10.1080/23279095.2023.2228952 · Cited by 1
“These benefits extend to single bouts of exercise as well, which appear to influence a range of cognitive functions, such as attention, executive function, and information processing and motor speed (Pontifex et al., 2019).”
Time course efficiency of MICE and HIIE on inhibitory control and HRV in adolescents with obesity and different cardiorespiratory fitness
Feng, Z.-T., Mao, Z., Liu, F., & Ou, X.-W. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1242190 · Cited by 2
“However, the most effective exercise program remains controversial due to the influence of differences in exercise intensity, cognitive testing time points, and individual differences in cardiorespiratory fitness (CF) (Pontifex et al., 2019).”
Background
PARE A AULA E FAÇA EXERCÍCIOS! PAUSAS FISICAMENTE ATIVAS MELHORAM O DESEMPENHO EM LEITURA E MATEMÁTICA DE CRIANÇAS ESCOLARES
de Souza, M. C., Bento-Torres, N. V. O., Bento‐Torres, J., & da Silva, L. M. (2024) · Revista Exitus · doi:10.24065/re.v14i1.2584 · Cited by 2
Which cognitive tests are used to examine the acute effect of physical activity on cognition in healthy adults aged 50 and older? - A systematic review
Block, F. D., Dyck, D. V., Deforche, B. I., Crombez, G., & Poppe, L. (2025) · Psychology and Health · doi:10.1080/08870446.2025.2498577 · Cited by 1
“Lastly, the current systematic review further complements the review of Pontifex et al. (2019) by including a wider range of study designs, including micro-longitudinal designs.”
Influential
Are There Extended Cognitive Improvements from Different Kinds of Acute Bouts of Physical Activity?
Haeger, M., Bury, N., Endres, C., & Klatt, S. (2020) · Journal of Cognitive Enhancement · doi:10.1007/s41465-020-00177-1 · Cited by 1
Assessing the Effects of Exercise, Cognitive Demand, and Rest on Audiovisual Multisensory Processing in Older Adults: A Pilot Study
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Detrimental Effects of Effortful Physical Exertion on Cognitive Control in Younger and Older AdultsPreprint
Azer, L., Xie, W., Park, H.-B., & Zhang, W. (2021) · PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) · doi:10.31234/osf.io/739xn · Cited by 1
Philosophy and Practice of Wholistic and Physical Student Development at Select Seventh-day Adventist Higher Educational Institutions and Work Colleges
Chase, B. (2020) · Digital Commons - Andrews University (Andrews University) · doi:10.32597/dissertations/1738 · Cited by 1
Effect of the BAPNE neuromotricity method on anxiety levels in university students considering gender differences
Arnau-Mollá, A. F., & Naranjo, F. J. R. (2024) · Journal of Physical Education and Sport · doi:10.7752/jpes.2024.07188 · Cited by 1
Comparative study on the effects of different types of acute exercise on cortisol levels and cognitive functionsPreprint
shao, Z., Zikereya, T., Peng, J., Luo, M., Chen, J., & Shi, K. (2024) · bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · doi:10.1101/2024.09.14.613054 · Cited by 1
Heterogeneite des recepteurs digitaliques : mise en evidence dans les cardiocytes de chien, implication physiopathologique au cours de l'hypertrophie et de l'ischemie cardiaques experimentales, discrimination a l'aide de nouvelles substances inotropes
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Kognition
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Detrimental Effects of Effortful Physical Exertion on Cognitive Control in Younger and Older AdultsPreprint
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Movimente a criatividade: aproximações entre neurociências, ciências do exercício e da educação para uma prática baseada em evidências
Seabra, A. D., da Costa, V. O., de Leão, E. R. L. P., Bento-Torres, N. V. O., & Bento‐Torres, J. (2022) · V&V Editora eBooks · doi:10.47247/asj/88471.55.5.11
Obesity, physical activity, cognition and brain function in preadolescent children
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Effects of Acute Exercise with Different Modality on Working Memory in Individuals with High and Low Aerobic FitnessPreprint
Mou, H., Fang, Q., Tian, S., & Qiu, F. (2022) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.4195802
Impact of acute complex exercise on inhibitory control and brain activation: a functional near-infrared spectroscopy studyPreprint
Takahashi, S., & Grove, P. M. (2022) · bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · doi:10.1101/2022.10.02.510532
Expecting tasks to help or hurt subsequent cognitive performance: Variability, accuracy, and bias in forecasted after‐effects
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“After-effects on cognition, where engaging in a prior task affects one’s subsequent cognitive performance, have been extensively researched in fields of both ego depletion and exercise psychology (Inzlicht & Friese, 2019; Pontifex et al., 2019).”
BackgroundInfluential
The differential influence of physical fitness and exercise on cognitive control: a test of potential biological markers of underlying neural mechanisms
Shigeta, T. T. (2022) · Digital Repository Service (Northeastern University) · doi:10.17760/d20455937
The effects of Chinese archery arts program on core executive functions in elementary school children in Shanghai China : a quasi-experimental study
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Cognition, neuroelectric brain function, and salivary biomarkers following exercise
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Examining Impulse-Variability Theory and the Speed-Accuracy Trade-Off in Children’s Kicking Performance
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Prolonged Moderate-Intensity Exercise Impairs Attention and Working Memory Beyond 24 HoursPreprint
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The effects of different exercise modalities on visuospatial working memory in healthy young adults
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“Despite this well-established relationship between acute exercise and executive function, past literature has been predominantly interested in changes in inhibition following the cessation of an acute bout of physical activity (Pontifex et al., 2019).”
BackgroundInfluential
Acute aerobic exercise and creative thinking: comparison of transient hypofrontality state and strength model of self-controls’ theoretical predictions
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“Cognitive engagement control, a valid approach in the literature (Pontifex et al., 2019), was adopted to manage the control condition.”
Method
Attention and working memory investigated through the P300 component in children practicing Karate at different stages of biological maturationPreprint
Nicoliche, E., Vasconcelos, A., MACHADO, M. P. F., Tanaka, G. K., Vicente, R., Marques, A. M., Costa, É., Gongora, M., Giacomo, J. D., Nobre, M., et al. (2024) · bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · doi:10.1101/2024.08.18.608511
The Benefits of Acute Aerobic Exercise on Preadolescent Children’s Learning in a Virtual Classroom
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A Comparison of Brief Resistance and Aerobic Exercise Bouts on Cognitive Processing Speed in Young Adults
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Attention and spatial navigation in everyday life: Physical activity is associated with subjective aspects of cognitive function
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“For example, executive control, attention, and memory are all improved by long-term [3] and short-term PA interventions [4,5].”

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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