Aerobic Exercise Stimulates Learning and Memory
Along with the start of a new academic year, recent findings among young adults show they can boost their cognitive performance after something as easy as a brisk walk.
New research that reviewed 13 previously published studies demonstrates the remarkable effectiveness of a single exercise session for memory and learning abilities of young adults.
After the participants, aged between 18-35, took part in moderate to high-intensity aerobic activities such as walking, cycling, and running, they showed significant improvements in:
- concentration,
- attention,
- both short and long-term memory,
- sentence processing and long-lasting linguistic ability,
- executive functions of planning and problem‐solving,
- learning functions.
The workouts lasted from 2 minutes to one hour. The positive effect remained for up to 2 hours, as the analysis showed.
For example, in one of the studies, a 15-minute moderate-intensity walk right before taking a test helped students improve their learning and long‐term episodic memory.
So, riding a bike to college or hitting a treadmill before starting working at home will promote both physical health and cognitive performance.
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Exercise has positive effects on learning and memory in young adults