A single bout of exercise improves motor memory

Regular physical activity has a positive impact on cognition and brain function. Here we investigated if a single bout of exercise can improve motor memory and motor skill learning. We also explored if the timing of the exercise bout in relation to the timing of practice has any impact on the acquis...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PloS one 2012-09, Vol.7 (9), p.e44594-e44594
Main Authors: Roig, Marc, Skriver, Kasper, Lundbye-Jensen, Jesper, Kiens, Bente, Nielsen, Jens Bo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accuracy
Adult
Aerobics
Age Factors
Analysis of Variance
Biology
Brain
Cognition
Cognition & reasoning
Cognitive ability
Consolidation
Cycling
Exercise
Exercise - physiology
Humans
Learning - physiology
Male
Medicine
Memory
Memory - physiology
Motor ability
Motor Activity - physiology
Motor skill learning
Motor Skills - physiology
Neurosciences
Oxygen Consumption - physiology
Pharmacology
Physical activity
Physical fitness
Physical training
Retention
Sensorimotor integration
Short term
Skills
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Summary:Regular physical activity has a positive impact on cognition and brain function. Here we investigated if a single bout of exercise can improve motor memory and motor skill learning. We also explored if the timing of the exercise bout in relation to the timing of practice has any impact on the acquisition and retention of a motor skill. Forty-eight young subjects were randomly allocated into three groups, which practiced a visuomotor accuracy-tracking task either before or after a bout of intense cycling or after rest. Motor skill acquisition was assessed during practice and retention was measured 1 hour, 24 hours and 7 days after practice. Differences among groups in the rate of motor skill acquisition were not significant. In contrast, both exercise groups showed a significantly better retention of the motor skill 24 hours and 7 days after practice. Furthermore, compared to the subjects that exercised before practice, the subjects that exercised after practice showed a better retention of the motor skill 7 days after practice. These findings indicate that one bout of intense exercise performed immediately before or after practicing a motor task is sufficient to improve the long-term retention of a motor skill. The positive effects of acute exercise on motor memory are maximized when exercise is performed immediately after practice, during the early stages of memory consolidation. Thus, the timing of exercise in relation to practice is possibly an important factor regulating the effects of acute exercise on long-term motor memory.
ISSN:1932-6203
1932-6203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0044594