A new study from University College London (UCL) suggests that the positive effects of exercise on cognitive function don’t just end when the workout does; they may actually carry over into the next day.
While previous research has shown that physical activity leads to immediate improvements in cognitive performance, how long these benefits last had remained a question.
Study Findings
Published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, this study focused on participants aged 50 to 83.
Researchers discovered that those who engaged in moderate to vigorous exercise experienced enhanced memory performance the following day, particularly after doing more than their usual level of activity.
Additionally, the study pointed out a link between reduced sedentary time and a minimum of six hours of sleep, both of which were tied to better memory scores on cognitive tests conducted after exercise.
Interestingly, the researchers found that deep, slow-wave sleep played a minor role in predicting memory improvements, suggesting that a good night’s rest coupled with physical activity could bolster cognitive functions the next day.
For this investigation, researchers examined the data of 76 individuals who wore activity monitors for eight days and participated in daily cognitive tests.
Research Insights
Dr. Mikaela Bloomberg, the study’s lead researcher from UCL’s Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, highlighted that their findings indicate the cognitive benefits of exercise may extend well beyond a few hours post-activity, potentially lasting into the next day.
Furthermore, quality sleep, especially deep sleep, appears to enhance these memory benefits.
Moderate to vigorous activities include any form of movement that raises your heart rate—think brisk walking, dancing, or climbing stairs.
These don’t have to be structured exercise sessions.
Although the study involved a relatively small group, it raises intriguing possibilities for how we think about physical activity and memory.
Implications for Cognitive Health
Right after exercise, various neurochemical shifts occur, improving blood flow to the brain and releasing neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine, which are integral to many cognitive processes.
While the effects of these neurotransmitters may wear off quickly, exercise may trigger other brain responses that linger longer.
For instance, earlier studies have shown that mood improvements from exercise can last for as long as 24 hours.
Another relevant study from 2016 noted that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) cycling could synchronize activity in the hippocampus—a region vital for memory—for up to 48 hours after a workout.
Co-author Professor Andrew Steptoe, also from UCL’s Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, pointed out the importance of maintaining cognitive function in older adults for preserving overall well-being and independence.
He stressed the need to explore daily factors that can influence cognitive health, and this study supports the idea that exercise can provide immediate cognitive benefits that linger longer than we might expect, especially when paired with good sleep.
However, the research doesn’t clarify whether these short-term cognitive boosts have any implications for long-term brain health.
While there’s some evidence indicating that regular physical activity could help prevent cognitive decline and lower dementia risk, this area remains active for debate among experts.
The researchers monitored participants’ movement through wrist-worn activity trackers that recorded not just sedentary behavior, but also levels of light and more vigorous physical activities.
Additionally, they kept tabs on sleep patterns, specifically looking into the amount of deep sleep versus REM sleep individuals got.
In assessing the relationship between physical activity types and cognitive performance the subsequent day, the team accounted for potential confounding variables.
This included the activity levels of the day prior and overall sleep quality during the eight-day period, noting that those who were generally more active and well-rested tended to score higher on cognitive tests.
The study’s results indicate a connection; participants who increased their moderate or vigorous exercise levels compared to their usual activities showed improved working and episodic memory the following day.
More overall sleep duration correlated with better episodic memory and psychomotor speed, while increased sedentary behavior was associated with decline in working memory.
This research represents an exciting step forward in understanding how physical activity affects cognitive function, utilizing a “micro-longitudinal” approach that observes participants in their daily lives rather than in a lab.
It is important to note, however, that the study featured cognitively healthy individuals, which may limit how applicable the results are to those with neurocognitive disorders.
This study was a collaborative effort involving experts from UCL’s Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, UCL’s Division of Surgery & Interventional Science, and the University of Oxford, with financial backing from the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
Source: ScienceDaily