The impact of exercise intensity on neurophysiological indices of food-related inhibitory control and cognitive control: A randomized crossover event-related potential (ERP) study

Food-related inhibitory control, the ability to withhold a dominant response towards highly palatable foods, influences dietary decisions. Food-related inhibitory control abilities may increase following a bout of aerobic exercise; however, the impact of exercise intensity on both food-related inhibitory control and broader cognitive control processes is currently unclear. We used a high-powered, within-subjects, crossover design to test how relative intensity of aerobic exercise influenced behavioral (response time, accuracy) and neural (N2 and P3 components of the scalp-recorded event-related potential [ERP]) measures of food-related inhibitory and cognitive control. Two hundred and thirteen participants completed three separate conditions separated by approximately one week in randomized order: two exercise conditions (35% [moderate] or 70% [vigorous] of VO 2max ) and seated rest. Directly following exercise or rest, participants completed a food-based go/no-go task and a flanker task while electroencephalogram data were recorded. Linear mixed models showed generally faster response times (RT) and improved accuracy following vigorous exercise compared to rest, but not moderate-intensity exercise; RTs and accuracy did not differ between moderate intensity exercise and rest conditions. N2 and P3 amplitudes were larger following vigorous exercise for the food-based go/no-go task compared to rest and moderate intensity exercise. There were no differences between exercise conditions for N2 amplitude during the flanker task; however, P3 amplitude was more positive following vigorous compared to rest, but not moderate exercise. Gender did not moderate exercise outcomes. Results suggest improved and more efficient food- related recruitment of later inhibitory control and cognitive control processes following vigorous exercise.