title: Dose-response relation between exercise duration and cognition.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study aimed to provide evidence-based recommendations for the prescription of a single session of exercise to improve cognitive performance. In particular, the purpose was to determine the dose-response relation between exercise duration and cognitive performance for a moderate-intensity session of aerobic exercise.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six healthy young men participated in a reading control treatment and three exercise treatments presented in a random order. The exercise treatments were designed on the basis of the American College of Sports Medicine guidelines and consisted of a 5-min warm-up, a 5-min cooldown, and cycling at moderate intensity (approximately 65% HR reserve) for 10, 20, or 45 min. The Stroop test was administrated after completion of each assigned treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Exercise at moderate intensity for 20 min resulted in significantly better cognitive performance, as assessed by shorter response time and higher accuracy. This result was found regardless of the type of cognitive function assessed. In addition, a curvilinear dose-response relation between exercise duration and cognitive performance was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An exercise session consisting of a 5-min warm-up, 20 min of moderate-intensity exercise, and a 5-min cooldown improves cognition, whereas shorter or longer durations of moderate exercise have negligible benefits. This study provides the foundation for the prescription of a single session of moderate exercise to facilitate cognitive function in healthy younger adults.
authors.affiliation: 1Graduate Institute of Athletics and Coaching Science, National Taiwan Sport University, Taoyuan County, Taiwan, REPUBLIC OF CHINA; 2Institute of Physical Education, Health, and Leisure Studies, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, REPUBLIC OF CHINA; and 3Department of Kinesiology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC.
authors.forename: Yu-Kai
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Chien-Heng
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Chun-Chih
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yi-Chun
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Tai-Fen
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Chia-Liang
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Etnier
mesh_terms: D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D011897:Random Allocation; D011930:Reaction Time; D057190:Stroop Test; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult