The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Neural Networks of Attention and Working Memory

Exercise and physical activity have positive impacts on the physical and mental functions. However, their impact on cognitive functions needs to be elucidated in further details. Therefore, the present study was performed to determine the effect of aerobic exercise on neural network of attention and working memory.
In this semi- experimental study, 20 inactive women with mean age of 22.65±2.03 years were selected by available sampling and equally divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group participated in 16 sessions of aerobic exercise. Before and after the completion of training intervention, participant’s performance was assessed using attention network test and N-back task test. Data were analyzed by the multivariable analysis of covariance method.
Our results showed that working memory in the experimental group was significantly increased compared to the control group. However, there were no significant differences in orienting network of attention.
Our data are in line with the use of aerobic exercise to reinforce working memory. In addition, it seems that the impact of aerobic exercise on cognition is selective and depends on the nature of the targeted cognitive function as well as their brain substrates.