Facilitating effects of exercise on information processing

The aim of this study was to examine the facilitating effects of moderate physical exercise on the reaction process to gain a better understanding of the interaction between physiological and cognitive processes. Sixteen participants with specific expertise in decision-making sports performed a double task consisting of choice reaction time while cycling. Signal quality, stimulus–response compatibility and time uncertainty were manipulated. Participants were tested at rest and while cycling at 20 % and at 50 % of their maximal aerobic power. A mood assessment questionnaire and a critical flicker fusion test were administered before and after the choice reaction time task. The results showed that moderate-intensity exercise (50 % maximal aerobic power) improves cognitive performance and that low-intensity exercise (20 % maximal aerobic power) enables participants to compensate the negative dual-task effect.