Relationship of Cognitive Function with Oxygenated Haemoglobin Concentration Difference Between the Left and Right...

The high concentration of oxygenated haemoglobin (O₂Hb) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) during exercise improves cognitive performance. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the relationship of cognitive function with the O₂Hb concentration difference between the left and right PFC (L-PFC and R-PFC, respectively) during sustained exercise. We enrolled 12 healthy adult males who, after a 4-min rest and warm-up, performed a 40-min exercise regime at a workload corresponding to 50% maximal oxygen consumption. A 2-back task was performed, and the reaction times (RTs) were recorded before exercise, immediately after exercise, and 20 min after exercise. Near-infrared spectroscopy was used to monitor L-PFC and R-PFC. RT was shortened immediately and 20 min after exercise, and O₂Hb concentration difference between L-PFC and R-PFC positively correlated with RT 20 min after exercise. These findings suggest that 40-min exercise induced a phenomenon of neural compensation.