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Acute Exercise Effects on Executive Function: Exploring the Relationship and Moderating Factors Through the 3W+1H

Feng-Tzu Chen¹, Chen-Sin Hung², Nai-Chi Chen²

¹Department of Kinesiology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.

Advances in Neurobiology

|September 26, 2025

Summary

Acute exercise positively impacts executive function, a vital cognitive skill. This review synthesizes evidence and explores factors influencing how exercise enhances cognitive abilities for better brain health.

Keywords:

Cognitive function Physical activity Single bout of exercise Working memory

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Area of Science:

Cognitive Neuroscience
Exercise Science
Psychology

Background:

Chronic exercise benefits executive function, but acute exercise effects are less understood.
Executive function is crucial for goal-directed behavior and cognitive control.

Purpose of the Study:

To define executive function.
To synthesize existing research on acute exercise's impact on executive function.
To explore moderators influencing this relationship using the 3W+1H framework.

Main Methods:

Systematic review and meta-analysis synthesis.
Literature review of studies on acute exercise and executive function.
Application of the 3W+1H framework (Who, What, When, How) for moderator analysis.

Main Results:

A consistent positive association between acute exercise and executive function was found.
Individual study discrepancies exist, but the overall trend is beneficial.
The 3W+1H framework helps identify conditions for optimal enhancement.

Conclusions:

Acute exercise generally enhances executive function.
Understanding moderators is key to optimizing exercise interventions for cognitive benefits.
Further research is needed to refine our understanding of the acute exercise-executive function link.