Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Monograph

Degree

Master of Science

Program

Neuroscience

Supervisor

Heath, Matthew

Abstract

A single bout of aerobic exercise (AE) benefits executive function (EF) and is linked to an increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF). Notably, music listening (ML) also increases CBF and may benefit EF. Accordingly, my thesis examined whether ML-, AE- and combined ML+AE- induced CBF changes impact the magnitude of a postexercise EF benefit. Participants completed four 10-min conditions: (1) non-exercise/music control, (2) ML of rock music, (3) AE and (4) combined ML+AE. Pre- and post-intervention EF was evaluated via the antisaccade task and transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) estimated changes in CBF. ML, AE, and ML+AE conditions increased CBF; however, only the latter two conditions produced an EF benefit, and CBF changes did not relate to changes in EF. Accordingly, although ML increased CBF, it did not benefit EF and a concurrent ML+AE condition did not produce an additive EF benefit compared to AE alone.

Summary for Lay Audience

Executive function (EF) encompasses a collection of cognitive processes supporting our ability to plan, concentrate, resist temptations, and think before acting. Research has shown that a single bout of aerobic exercise (AE) provides a postexercise EF benefit and this is – in part – attributed to an exercise-based increase in blood flow to the brain. Music listening (ML) also increases blood flow to the brain and this change is thought to reflect an arousal-based increase in heart rate. Interestingly, the change in blood flow to the brain while listening to music is reported to be comparable in magnitude to “light” intensity AE. Accordingly, my thesis investigated whether changes in brain blood flow induced by AE and ML elicit a comparable EF benefit, and I sought to examine whether concurrent AE and ML provides an additive EF benefit. On separate days, participants (N=22) completed 10-min conditions involving: (1) a non-ML and non-AE control (2) ML (3) light intensity AE (20-39% of heart rate reserve) and (4) combined ML and AE (i.e., ML+AE). Prior to and immediately after each condition, participants performed an eye movement task (i.e., oculomotor assessment) requiring that they “look away” from a target that suddenly appeared on a computer screen (i.e., antisaccade task). Antisaccades provide a reliable basis to assess changes in EF. Transcranial Doppler ultrasound was used to examine the relationship between ML- and AE-induced changes in brain blood flow and EF benefits. Results indicated that ML, AE and ML+AE produced an increase in brain blood flow; however, only the AE and ML+AE conditions provided an EF benefit. Moreover, the magnitude of the brain blood flow change in ML, AE and ML+AE conditions did not correlate with EF performance. Thus, a single bout ML does not elicit an EF benefit as per a single bout of AE, and the introduction of a combined ML+AE neither elicits an additive increase in brain blood flow nor an increased magnitude EF benefit. Accordingly, changes in brain blood flow alone are not sufficient to improve EF and thus indicate that additional physiological and psychological changes support a postexercise EF benefit.

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