Effects of Acute Exercise Intensity on Memory: Considerations of Timing and Aerobic Endurance

Bailey Bass, University of Mississippi
Caroline Loeb, University of Mississippi
Mary Collins West, University of Mississippi
William Meyers, University of Mississippi

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to find the optimal acute exercise intensity and post-exercise recovery time to enhance memory retention. A secondary objective of study was to evaluate the influence of aerobic endurance on memory and whether endurance capacity interacts with exercise intensity and post-exercise recovery period to influence memory performance. Participants were 54 undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Mississippi, with an age range of 18-23 years. Participants completed 13 visits in total. The first visit evaluated their aerobic endurance, with the remaining 12 visits including a 3 (Intensity: Control, Moderate, Vigorous) by 4 (Post-Exercise Recovery Periods: 1-min Post, 5-min Post, 10-min Post, 15-min) repeated measures design to evaluate the effects of exercise intensity and post-exercise recovery period on long-term memory function. Following exercise, participants completed a memory task, which involved encoding a list of 15 words, for 5 consecutive trials. Following a delay, participants performed a free-recall of the words 20 minutes post and 24-hours after the lab visit. Results of this study showed that aerobic endurance is positively associated with long-term memory function. Additionally, high-intensity acute exercise is optimal to enhance memory performance, an effect that may also be influenced by the post-exercise recovery period and fitness level of the individual.