Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 17, 2025

Orienteering as a Tool for Cognitive Research: An Implementation Guide
Published on: November 29, 2024
Acute effects of two different combined exercise modalities on executive function and circulating neurotrophic
Yi-Hung Liao1, Toby Mündel2, Ying-Chu Chen3
1Department of Exercise and Health Science, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei City, Taiwan.
Purposes:
This study investigated the effects of two different combined exercise modalities on executive function in healthy adults and observed the associations of potential biomarkers (i.e., brain-derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF; human growth hormone, HGH; insulin-like growth factor-1, IGF-1; and cortisol) on cognitive performance.
Methods:
Twelve young healthy male adults were recruited and assigned to the following three experimental interventions in a randomized crossover manner: sitting control (SC), resistance exercise plus continuous aerobic exercise (RA) and resistance exercise plus intermittent aerobic exercise (RI). Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT) and blood collection were conducted before and immediately after each intervention.
Results:
The results showed that both acute combined exercise trials significantly reduced SCWT-incongruent response time compared to the SC trial (RA: p = .015, RI: p = .014). The serum BDNF and HGH levels were significantly increased in both RA (BDNF: p < .0001, HGH: p = .004) and RI (BDNF: p = .013, HGH: p = .007) trials, and the serum IGF-1 level was significantly increased in the RI trial (p = .008). The changes in SCWT-incongruent response time were significantly associated with the changes in blood lactate (r = - 0.622, p < .0001) and RPE (r = - 0.364, p = .029) following the interventions.
Conclusion:
Our findings indicate the beneficial effects of two different combined exercise modalities on executive function in these young healthy males that could be related to an increase in brain energy supply and arousal status.
Irb Registration Number:
IRB-2021-011.
More Related Videos
10:19Getting to Compliance in Forced Exercise in Rodents: A Critical Standard to Evaluate Exercise Impact in Aging-related Disorders and Disease
Published on: August 22, 2014
05:04Application of Passive Head Motion to Generate Defined Accelerations at the Heads of Rodents
Published on: July 21, 2022
Related Concept Videos
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...
Exercise Stress Test
Exercise stress testing, commonly known as a treadmill test, is a noninvasive procedure used to evaluate cardiovascular function and diagnose heart conditions.
Definition
An exercise stress test measures the heart's response to exertion using a treadmill or stationary bicycle. Chest electrodes record the heart's electrical activity through an ECG, and blood pressure is monitored regularly.
Purposes
Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...