Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026

Intracortical Inhibition Within the Primary Motor Cortex Can Be Modulated by Changing the Focus of Attention
Published on: September 11, 2017
Intermittent maximal exercise improves attentional performance only in physically active students
Henning Budde1, Andrea Brunelli, Sergio Machado
1Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, School of Science and Engineering, Reykjavik University, Reykjavik, Iceland. henningb@ru.is
Background And Aims:
Regular physical activity participation seems to be linked to brain metabolism and to be one factor responsible for different effects of high intensity exercise on cognition. Due to this, we investigated the effect of an intermittent maximal exercise intervention on a neuropsychological test requiring sustained and selective attention in a group of low and high physically active subjects.
Method:
Forty six healthy students (age: M = 23.11, SD = 2.60 years) performed in a cross-over design an intermittent incremental exercise until they reached their maximal heart rate (HR Max; intervention condition) or rested for the same duration (control condition) followed by the administration of the d2-test.
Results:
A significant interaction between physical activity participation level and exercise effect on cognitive performance emerged, with only the more physically active participants improving the performance in the cognitive test after the intervention.
Conclusion:
These data extend the current knowledge base by showing that a higher participation rate in physical activity may lead to neurobiological adaptations that facilitate selected cognitive processes (i.e., attention) after high exercise intensities.
Related Concept Videos
Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be met...
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Exercise and Muscle Performance
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Optimal Arousal Theory
Inverted U-Shaped Performance Curve
The...

