Abstract:
Physical exercise has shown to elicit improvements in several measures of cognition. Traditionally, this effect has been observed following aerobic exercise interventions, that is, sessions of moderate-intensity exercise maintained over TI me. Here, we present evidence demonstrating that short bursts of exercise based on high intensity training (HIT) can produce similar cognitive improvements. Specifically, HIT induced substantial gains in measures of cognitive control and working memory capacity, and this eff ect was moderated by BDNF genotype, with met66 carriers more likely to benefit from exercise. In addition, our results indicate that HIT helps down regulate elevated resting heart rate, thus benefiting more largely individuals who need it most. These findings complement previous literature linking physical exercise to cognitive enhancement, and provide a more detailed account of the mediating factors of improvement. Overall, this line of research suggests promising alternatives to enhance cognition, via shorter, more potent exercise regimens.