Distinct Cortical Hemodynamics During Squat-Stand and Continuous Aerobic Exercise Impart an Equivalent Magnitude Postexercise Executive Function Benefit
Abstract
A single bout of aerobic exercise improves executive function (EF). A candidate mechanism for this benefit is an exercise-mediated increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF). It is, however, unknown whether an asymptotic or oscillatory CBF increase associated with moderate continuous aerobic (MCE) and repetitive squat-stand exercise (SSE), respectively, differentially impacts a postexercise EF benefit. Participants (n=22) completed 15-min sessions of MCE and SSE and a non-exercise control condition. EF was assessed pre- and postexercise via pro- and antisaccade trials and CBF was estimated via a transcranial Doppler ultrasound measure of middle cerebral artery velocity (MCAv). As expected, MCE and SSE produced a respective asymptotic increase and oscillatory change in MCAv, and null hypothesis and equivalence tests indicated that both conditions produced a comparable magnitude postexercise EF benefit. Accordingly, an oscillatory CBF response to exercise does not impart a larger EF benefit than a time- and intensity-matched MCE protocol.