Acute Exercise Generally Enhances The Attentional Resources Of Perceptual Processing

Two hypotheses give different opinions about the effect of acute exercise on cognitive control,a “general improvement hypothesis” and a “selective improvement hypothesis”.A “general improvement hypothesis” indicates that acute exercise leads to general promotional effects on cognitive tasks that involve executive function and basic information processing.While a “selective improvement hypothesis” suggests that acute exercise results in larger effects for executive function tasks that require more extensive cognitive demand than basic information processing.Cognitive control refers to metalevel and higher cognitive processes,while basic information processing refers to bottom cognitive processes(e.g.,attention).The present study aimed to investigate whether acute moderate-intensity exercise led to a selective effect on executive function tasks or general effect on cognitive tasks that involve executive function and basic information processing in young adults.Besides,we also aimed to examine acute exercise's effect on multiple ERP components(e.g.,P200,N200,P300 b,and N450)to expand previous research.Seventy-two young adults were randomly assigned to the exercise or control groups.The Stroop task was administrated before and after treatments(exercise or reading),and the P2,N2,P3 b,and N450 components of the Event-Related Potential(ERP)waveform were recorded and analyzed.Larger P200 amplitudes on both congruent and incongruent tasks were observed following acute exercise.Acute exercise did not influence accuracy or response time,and no effects on N200,P300 b,and N450 components were found.These findings suggest that acute moderate-intensity exercise may have a generally beneficial effect on mobilization of attentional resources related to perceptual processing.