Light aerobic exercise modulates executive function and cortical excitability

Timothy P. Morris*, Peter J. Fried, Joanna Macone, Alexandra Stillman, Joyce Gomes-Osman, David Costa-Miserachs, Jose Maria Tormos Muñoz, Emiliano Santarnecchi, Alvaro Pascual-Leone

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Single bouts of aerobic exercise can modulate cortical excitability and executive cognitive function, but less is known about the effect of light-intensity exercise, an intensity of exercise more achievable for certain clinical populations. Fourteen healthy adults (aged 22 to 30) completed the following study procedures twice (≥7 days apart) before and after 30 min of either light aerobic exercise (cycling) or seated rest: neurocognitive battery (multitasking performance, inhibitory control and spatial working memory), paired-pulse TMS measures of cortical excitability. Significant improvements in response times during multitasking performance and increases in intracortical facilitation (ICF) were seen following light aerobic exercise. Light aerobic exercise can modulate cortical excitability and some executive function tasks. Populations with deficits in multitasking ability may benefit from this intervention.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)1723-1734
Number of pages12
JournalEuropean Journal of Neuroscience
Volume51
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2020

Keywords

  • cortical excitability
  • executive function
  • exercise
  • neuroplasticity

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