Effects of Physical Exercise Breaks on Executive Function in a Simulated Classroom Setting: Uncovering a Window into the Brain

Effects of Physical Exercise Breaks on Executive Function in a Simulated Classroom Setting: Uncovering a Window into the Brain

Abstract Acknowledging the detrimental effects of prolonged sitting, this study examined the effects of an acute exercise break during prolonged sitting on executive function, cortical hemodynamics, and microvascular status. In this randomized crossover study, 71 college students completed three con...

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Main Authors: Qian Yu, Zhihao Zhang, Sebastian Ludyga, Kirk I. Erickson, Boris Cheval, Meijun Hou, Dominika M. Pindus, Charles H. Hillman, Arthur F. Kramer, Ryan S. Falck, Teresa Liu‐Ambrose, Jin Kuang, Sean P. Mullen, Keita Kamijo, Toru Ishihara, David A. Raichlen, Matthew Heath, David Moreau, André O. Werneck, Fabian Herold, Liye Zou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:Advanced Science
Subjects:
brain Health
cerebrovascular health
effective connectivity
microvascular health
sedentary behavior
young adults
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202406631
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Summary:Abstract Acknowledging the detrimental effects of prolonged sitting, this study examined the effects of an acute exercise break during prolonged sitting on executive function, cortical hemodynamics, and microvascular status. In this randomized crossover study, 71 college students completed three conditions: (i) uninterrupted sitting (SIT); (ii) SIT with a 15 min moderate‐intensity cycling break (MIC); and (iii) SIT with a 15 min vigorous‐intensity cycling break (VIC). Behavioral outcomes, retinal vessel diameters (central retinal artery equivalents [CRAE], retinal vein equivalents [CRVE], arteriovenous ratio [AVR]), cortical activation, and effective connectivity were evaluated. Linear mixed models identified significant positive effects of exercise conditions on behavioral reaction time (RT), error rate, and inverse efficiency score (β = −2.62, −0.19, −3.04: ps < 0.05). MIC and VIC conditions produced pre‐to‐post‐intervention increases in CRAE and CRVE (β = 4.46, 6.34), frontal activation, and resting‐state and task‐state causal density (β = 0.37, 0.06) (ps < 0.05) compared to SIT; VIC was more beneficial for executive function and neurobiological parameters. The effect of AVR on average RT was mediated through task‐based causal density (indirect effect: −0.82). Acutely interrupting prolonged sitting improves executive function, microvascular status, and cortical activation and connectivity, with causal density mediating the microvascular‐executive function link.
ISSN:2198-3844

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