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Exercise Density Influences the Expression of a Postexercise Inhibitory Control Benefit: Evidence from a Low-Volume
Antonio Mendes1, Lila Gavigan1, Grace Gall1
1School of Kinesiology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience
|July 31, 2026
Summary
Exercise density, the timing of exercise and rest, may influence executive function benefits. Lower density exercise improved inhibitory control, suggesting exercise timing is key for cognitive enhancement.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Exercise Physiology
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Single bouts of exercise enhance executive function (EF).
- Exercise density (timing of exercise and rest intervals) may moderate EF benefits.
- Inhibitory control, a key EF component, is sensitive to exercise interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if exercise density influences post-exercise inhibitory control.
- To examine the effect of high-density (HD) versus low-density (LD) exercise on antisaccade performance.
- To explore potential psychophysiological correlates of density-dependent EF changes.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-five participants completed interval exercise (HD and LD) and a control condition.
- Exercise involved ten 1-min intervals with either 1-min (HD) or 2-min (LD) rest.
- Inhibitory control was assessed using the antisaccade task before and after exercise.
Main Results:
- Low-density (LD) exercise significantly reduced antisaccade reaction times (RTs) post-exercise.
- High-density (HD) exercise did not yield significant changes in antisaccade RTs.
- No association was found between psychophysiological metrics (MCAv peak, exertion, arousal, fatigue) and RT changes.
Conclusions:
- Exercise density appears to moderate acute executive function benefits, specifically inhibitory control.
- LD exercise may be more effective than HD exercise for improving inhibitory control after a single bout.
- Density provides a novel framework for understanding exercise-EF relationships and their underlying mechanisms.
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