Ergometer cycling enhances executive control in task switching

Recent research has investigated physical exercise to improve executive control. In two experiments, we examined the potential of intense acute physical exercise to improve executive control processes in task switching. In Experiment 1, participants performed task switching after resting and after exercise in two different sessions; the order of intervention was counterbalanced. An interaction of intervention and intervention order emerged. Participants only reduced switch cost when exercise coincided with Session 2. The interactional pattern was clarified in Experiment 2. Participants performed task switching in two experimental sessions, but exercise and rest was varied between participants prior to task switching in Session 2. When controlling for baseline measurement, the exercise group showed lower switch cost than the resting group in Session 2, indicating a beneficial exercise effect on task-set shifting. The present results are discussed in the context of future research on theoretical and practical issues of acute exercise.