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Network Meta-Analysis of Exercise Interventions on Working Memory Capacity in College Students: A Comparative Study
Shenning Zhou1, Mengyao Feng1, Yueyan Li1
1College of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
Behavioral Sciences (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 27, 2026
Summary
Regular exercise, particularly aerobic-dominant activities, moderately improves college students' working memory. While HIIT and mixed-modal training show promise, the optimal exercise type for cognitive enhancement requires further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Science
Background:
- Working memory is crucial for academic achievement in college students.
- Sedentary and digitally-distracted lifestyles may negatively impact cognitive function.
- Understanding exercise's role in enhancing working memory is vital for this demographic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of six different exercise modalities on working memory in college students.
- To identify which exercise types yield the most significant improvements in working memory.
- To provide evidence-based recommendations for exercise interventions to boost cognitive performance.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across multiple databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, SPORTDiscus, CNKI) up to February 2026.
- Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included, with reaction time on working memory tasks as the primary outcome.
- Frequentist random-effects network meta-analysis (NMA) was employed using Stata 18.0, adhering to PRISMA-NMA guidelines.
Main Results:
- Thirty-five RCTs involving 2314 participants were analyzed.
- Aerobic exercise, mixed-modal training, HIIT, and resistance training significantly improved working memory compared to controls.
- HIIT and mixed-modal training demonstrated the highest probability of being the most effective interventions (SUCRA 80.3% and 76.0%, respectively).
- Chronic interventions (≥4 weeks) showed greater benefits than acute protocols.
Conclusions:
- Aerobic-dominant exercise interventions show moderate efficacy in enhancing working memory among college students.
- While HIIT and mixed-modal training appear highly effective, direct comparisons did not reveal statistically significant differences between the beneficial modalities.
- Further comparative trials are needed to definitively determine the optimal exercise type for working memory improvement in this population.
