Exercise-Induced Activation and Human Performance: A Review

Abstract This paper presents a theory and reviews the literature dealing with the relationship between exercise-induced changes in activation (EIA) and performance of various motor and cognitive tasks. The relationship theoretically takes the form of an inverted U, with performance optimal at some intermediate level of EIA. However, not all tasks have the same optimal level of EIA. Tasks that require a great deal of inhibition (e.g., steadiness) are performed best at very low levels of EIA and tasks that require disinhibition (e.g., arm speed) are performed best at very high levels of EIA. For tasks at either end of the inhibition continuum the relationship between EIA and performance seems to be linear. For intellective tasks, intensity of concomitant exercise is negatively and monotonically related to performance. Prior exercise seems to be curvilinearly related to intellective performance with optimal performance occurring following light exercise that raises the heart rate to about 90-120 bpm.