Previous research has shown that people’s cognitive performance improves in the hours after exercise, but how long this benefit lasts is unknown.
New research led by researchers at University College London (UCL) shows that people aged 50 to 83 years who engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity (which can increase heart rate) ), the better their memory is likely to be the next day.
Spending less time sitting and sleeping six hours or more were also associated with better scores on next-day memory tests.
The findings, published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, suggest that the short-term memory benefits of physical activity may last longer than previously thought.
Lead author Dr Mikaela Bloomberg from the Institute of Epidemiology said the benefits could extend “into the next day rather than just a few hours of exercise”. Healthcare at UCL.
“Getting more sleep, especially deep sleep, increases this memory improvement,” he added.
The researchers explained that short-term exercise increases blood flow to the brain. It stimulates the release of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine that aid in a range of cognitive functions.
Previously known to last only a few hours after exercise, the latest research suggests that other brain states associated with exercise are longer lasting. For example, evidence suggests that exercise can boost mood for up to 24 hours.
For the study, the team analyzed data from 76 men and women who wore an activity tracker for eight days and took cognitive tests each day.
Participants who engaged in brisk walking, dancing, or walking up a few flights of stairs instead of regular exercise experienced immediate cognitive benefits that lasted longer than previously thought.
Conversely, spending more time sitting than usual was associated with poorer working memory the next day.
“This was a small study and needs to be replicated with a larger sample of participants before we can be confident about the results.”