Cerebral hyperemia is not a sole modulator of postexercise executive function benefit: evidence from hypercapnia and passive exercise
Abstract
A single bout of exercise improves executive function (EF); however, the physiological mechanism(s) contributing to this benefit are unclear. One candidate mechanism for the benefit is an exercised-mediated increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) that improves neural efficiency. In my thesis, I conducted two experiments to assess the relationship between an increase in CBF and EF. In Experiment 1, I examined passive exercise, and in Experiment 2, I examined a 2.5% hypercapnic environment given that both interventions increase CBF independent of the metabolic demands of volitional muscle activity. Experiment 1 indicated that passive exercise increased CBF and was associated with a postexercise EF benefit. In Experiment 2, result showed that a hypercapnic environment increased CBF but did not lead to improved EF. As such, my thesis indicates that an increase in CBF does not impart a unitary EF benefit.