Acute exercise (AE) has been shown to enhance cognitive and mental functioning, yet the underlying neural dynamics across age groups remain unclear. This study examined how a 20-min bout of moderate-intensity AE modulates behavioral and neural responses supporting cognitive control. Fifty-one healthy males (28 younger, 23 older adults) completed both AE (treadmill, 60–70% heart-rate reserve) and control (video watching) conditions in a counterbalanced within-subject design. EEG was recorded during a Stroop color–word task following each condition. AE shortened reaction times without reducing accuracy, indicating greater processing efficiency. Event-related potential analyses revealed reduced N1/N2 amplitudes, while time–frequency results showed stronger frontal alpha desynchronization and increased theta–beta modulations. These effects reflect enhanced attentional allocation and cortical engagement. Collectively, findings suggest that even a single AE session can transiently optimize neural efficiency through a dual-phase mechanism—reducing early sensory and conflict-monitoring demands while facilitating later attentional and evaluative processes—highlighting exercise as a brief yet effective means to promote adaptive mental functioning across the adult lifespan. • A 20-min bout of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise engages a dual-phase neural mechanism supporting inhibitory control. • Exercise attenuates early sensory and conflict-monitoring demands while enhancing later cognitive control and motor preparation. • These findings indicate that transient physical activity optimizes neural efficiency across age groups through temporally distinct processes.
Wang et al. (Tue,) studied this question.