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The effects of chronic exercise on attentional networks
Laura Pérez1, Concepción Padilla1, Fabrice B R Parmentier1
1Neuropsychology and Cognition Group, Research Institute on Health Sciences and Department of Psychology of the University of the Balearic Islands, Palma, Spain; Neuropsychology and Cognition Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Palma, Palma, Spain.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that chronic physical exercise improves attentional control in young healthy participants. To do this, we compared the performance of physically active and passive participants in the Attentional Network Task, which allows for the assessment of the executive, orienting and alerting networks. The results showed a selective positive effect of exercise on the executive network. These results extend the evidence gathered in children, older adults and certain clinical populations suggesting that exercise can also improve attentional control in healthy young adults.
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