The Impact of Cognitive Load on Volitional Running

2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 1179-1183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan J. Blakely ◽  
Kyle Wilson ◽  
Paul N. Russell ◽  
William S. Helton
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cognitive Load ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
High Load ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Cognitive Tasks ◽  
Running Speed ◽  
Original Experiment ◽  
The Impact

The effects of physical activity on cognition and the effects of cognitive load on physical activity are complex. Both the nature of the physical activity and cognitive task may influence the interactive effects of performing a physical task while also performing a cognitive task. In a previous study examining the impact of increasing cognitive load on outdoor running speed and the impact of outdoor running on cognitive performance, Blakely et al. (2015) found running speed decreased as cognitive load increased. They also found that the impact of running itself on cognitive performance occurred when the cognitive task was itself demanding (high cognitive load). In the current study we expanded on this previous research by improving the experimental task to rule out peripheral sensory, not central or executive, interference and by incorporating heart rate measures and VO2 max estimates. Twelve runners completed five conditions, two seated cognitive tasks (one low load and one high load), two dual running cognitive tasks and one run only. Results were similar to the original experiment, as the cognitive task became more difficult, voluntary running speed decreased. Also the effects of running on cognitive performance (counting) were found only when the cognitive task was high load.

The Impact of Environmental Stress on Cognitive Performance: A Systematic Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (8) ◽  
pp. 1205-1246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristy Martin ◽  
Emily McLeod ◽  
Julien Périard ◽  
Ben Rattray ◽  
Richard Keegan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Environmental Stress ◽  
Task Performance ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Healthy Human ◽  
The Impact

Objective: In this review, we detail the impact of environmental stress on cognitive and military task performance and highlight any individual characteristics or interventions which may mitigate any negative effect. Background: Military personnel are often deployed in regions markedly different from their own, experiencing hot days, cold nights, and trips both above and below sea level. In spite of these stressors, high-level cognitive and operational performance must be maintained. Method: A systematic review of the electronic databases Medline (PubMed), EMBASE (Scopus), PsycINFO, and Web of Science was conducted from inception up to September 2018. Eligibility criteria included a healthy human cohort, an outcome of cognition or military task performance and assessment of an environmental condition. Results: The search returned 113,850 records, of which 124 were included in the systematic review. Thirty-one studies examined the impact of heat stress on cognition; 20 of cold stress; 59 of altitude exposure; and 18 of being below sea level. Conclusion: The severity and duration of exposure to the environmental stressor affects the degree to which cognitive performance can be impaired, as does the complexity of the cognitive task and the skill or familiarity of the individual performing the task. Application: Strategies to improve cognitive performance in extreme environmental conditions should focus on reducing the magnitude of the physiological and perceptual disturbance caused by the stressor. Strategies may include acclimatization and habituation, being well skilled on the task, and reducing sensations of thermal stress with approaches such as head and neck cooling.

scholarly journals Physical Fitness Plays a Crucial Mediator Role in Relationships Among Personal, Social, and Lifestyle Factors With Adolescents' Cognitive Performance in a Structural Equation Model. The Cogni-Action Project

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanilson Lemes ◽  
Anelise R. Gaya ◽  
Kabir P. Sadarangani ◽  
Nicolas Aguilar-Farias ◽  
Fernando Rodriguez-Rodriguez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Structural Equation Model ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Cognitive Tasks ◽  
Fitness Components ◽  
Mediator Role

Background: The beneficial relationship between physical fitness and cognitive performance is affected and modulated by a wide diversity of factors that seem to be more sensitive during the development stage, particularly during early adolescence. This study aimed to examine the role of physical fitness considering the multivariate association between age, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), school vulnerability index (SVI), body mass index z-score (BMIz), physical activity, and sleep problems with the cognitive performance in boys and girls.Method: Participants were 1,196 adolescents aged 10–14 years (50.7% of boys) from Chile. Three physical fitness components and eight cognitive tasks were measured. BMIz was determined using growth references by age and sex, whereas questionaries were used to assess sleep problems, physical activity, and HRQOL. SVI was established according to the score given by the Chilean Government to educational establishments. We performed a structural equation model (SEM) to test multivariate associations among study' variables by sex.Results: Fitness was positively associated with boys' and girls' cognitive performance (β = 0.23 and β = 0.17; p = 0.001, respectively). Moreover, fitness presented a significant mediator role in the relationships between BMIz, SVI, and physical activity with cognitive performance (indirect effect). Additionally, SVI showed a negative association both direct and indirect effect in all three fitness components and all cognitive tasks, being this relationship stronger in girls than in boys.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that physical fitness and all its components play a crucial mediator role in the associations between several factors associated with adolescents' cognitive performance. Thereby, educational and health strategies should prioritise improving physical fitness through physical activity. They also should address other factors such as school vulnerability, obesity, and the early gender gap in a comprehensive approach boosting cognitive performance among early adolescents.Trial registration: Research Registry (ID: researchregistry5791).

scholarly journals The Impact of Physical Activities on Cognitive Performance among Healthy Older Individuals

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 377
Author(s):  
Blanka Klimova ◽  
Radka Dostalova
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Physical Activity Intervention ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Healthy Population ◽  
Alternative Programs ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trials ◽  
The Impact

The population is aging in developed countries. This aging process results in many changes, both physical and mental. Over the years, there has been a gradual decline in the level of cognitive functions closely related to the ageing process, which is most often connected with ageing diseases such as dementia. So far, pharmacological treatment has not yet been able to cure this neurological disorder. Health policies around the world seek to find alternative programs and strategies to help a healthy population prevent cognitive decline and prolong active life. One such strategy appears to be physical activity. The aim of this review is to discuss the impact of physical activity on cognitive performance among healthy older individuals. The methodology of this study is based on a systematic electronic literature search of available studies found in three databases: PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus. The findings suggest that any physical activity in older age seems to have a positive impact on the improvement of cognitive function. Furthermore, it appears that dancing, due to its multiple mechanisms, might have the biggest effect on the enhancement of cognitive performance in healthy older individuals. However, controlled clinical trials of physical activity intervention in older adults are rare. Therefore, further research in this area (particularly on the amount of physical activity, its intensity and type) is needed.

The Perception of Available Resources Influences the After-Effect of Cognitive Control on Cognitive Performance and Pain

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 332-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Silvestrini ◽  
Elodie Vuignier ◽  
Alain Matthey ◽  
Valérie Piguet
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Control ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Cognitive Resources ◽  
Sequential Task ◽  
After Effect ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Available Resources

Abstract. In two experiments, we investigated the impact of perceived available cognitive resources using a sequential-task paradigm. First, participants worked on an easy or difficult cognitive task. Then, they received a cue suggesting that their cognitive resources were still optimal or they did not receive any information on their resources. Subsequently, they worked on a second difficult cognitive task (Experiment 1) or received painful electrical stimulations (Experiment 2). We predicted that the cue on optimal resources would neutralize the effect of the first difficult task on subsequent cognitive performance and pain. Overall, results supported our predictions. We interpret these findings as showing an important role of perceived available resources in the after-effect induced by the sequential-task paradigm.

Exercise and Supplementation of Black Mulberry Fruit Extract, Sunflower Seed and Pumpkin Seed Enhance Cognitive Performance among Sedentary University Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-110
Author(s):  
Nor A.A.M. Shalan ◽  
Norhazira A. Rahim ◽  
Nur I. Mohamad
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Group Treatment ◽  
Sunflower Seed ◽  
Sedentary Lifestyle ◽  
Flanker Task ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Cognitive Tasks ◽  
Fruit Extract ◽  
Pumpkin Seed

Background: sedentary lifestyle has been found to influence cognitive impairment, whereas physical activity and diet have been found to reduce the negative impacts of a sedentary lifestyle. Objectives: This study aims to examine the synergistic effects of the black mulberry, sunflower seed, and pumpkin seed supplements, including exercise on cognitive performance among sedentary university students. Subjects and Methods: Participants (n=36) were randomly assigned to receive black mulberry, sunflower seed, and pumpkin seed with and without exercise for 60 days. Then, they were required to complete cognitive task assessment for domain attention (visual reaction time and auditory reaction time), perception (fast counting and basic music) and executive (Eriksen flanker task and Stroop test) on day 0 (baseline), 30, and 60 of the experiment. Following that, blood samples were collected and analyzed for malondialdehyde serum concentration as an oxidative stress marker. Results: All participants showed significant faster reaction time in cognitive tasks for domain attention and basic music test for domain perception on day 30 and 60 compared to day 0. However, no significant changes were observed within group, on cognitive task for domain executive. In comparison between the groups, participants in group treatment showed significant faster reaction time for cognitive tasks for domain attention and for Erikson flanker task for domain executive as compared to group exercise alone, and group treatment with exercise. For domain perception (basic music test), participants in group treatment with exercise achieved faster reaction time compared to group treatment and exercise alone. Despite the reduction of malondialdehyde concentration in all groups, no significant difference was found between them. Conclusion: It was indicated from the findings that the consumption of black mulberry fruit extract, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds with and without exercise independently enhanced attention, perception, and executive function among sedentary young adults.

scholarly journals How Older Adults Cope with Cognitive Complexity and Environmental Constraints during Dual-Task Walking: The Role of Executive Function Involvement

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. 1835 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta Forte ◽  
Caterina Pesce ◽  
Angela Di Baldassarre ◽  
John Shea ◽  
Claudia Voelcker-Rehage ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Cognitive Complexity ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Environmental Constraints

This cross-sectional study investigated the interactive dual-task (DT) effects of executive function demands and environmental constraints on older adults’ walking and the moderating role of habitual physical activity (PA). Locomotor performance under different environmental constraints (flat versus obstructed walking) and cognitive performance with different executive function involvement (backward counting versus random number generation) were assessed under single-task (ST) and DT conditions in 135 participants (mean age 68.1 ± 8.4). The weekly number of daily steps was measured. Reciprocal DT effects of walking on cognitive performance and of the cognitive task on gait performance were computed and submitted to analyses of covariance with age, PA level, and cognitive functioning as covariates, followed by linear regressions with PA level as predictor. Cognitive task demands and environmental constraints individually and jointly affected gait variability (p = 0.033, ηp2 = 0.08) and executive function performance (p = 0.009, ηp2 = 0.09). Physical activity level predicted a low but significant percentage of variance of DT effects on gait only in flat walking (R2 = 0.04, p = 0.027). Results suggest that older individuals may adopt variable task prioritization in dual tasking depending on the type of executive function involvement and the environmental constraints on walking. Their DT ability was slightly affected by habitual PA.

Sources of Individual Differences in L2 Narrative Production: The Contribution of Input, Processing, and Output Anxiety

2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Trebits
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Cognitive Load ◽  
Educational Program ◽  
Language Production ◽  
Task Complexity ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Input Processing ◽  
Narrative Production ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cognitive task complexity and individual differences in input, processing, and output anxiety (IPOA) on L2 narrative production. The participants were enrolled in a bilingual secondary educational program. They performed two narrative tasks in speech and writing. The participants’ level of anxiety was assessed using the IPOA scale (MacIntyre and Gardner 1994). The results demonstrate that spoken and written modalities are influenced differently by anxiety with the impact of output anxiety being significantly stronger in speech than in writing. Another important finding was that input and processing anxiety had both facilitating and debilitating effects on learners’ L2 output. As regards the effect of task complexity on participants’ narratives, the findings suggest that the different stages of language production need to be taken into account when categorizing tasks on the basis of the cognitive load they impose on learners.

When moderate mental workload and driving are mutually beneficial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatima Maria Felisberti ◽  
Thiago P Fernandes
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Load ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Mental Workload ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Attentional Processes ◽  
Subsequent Performance ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Driving Task ◽  
Lane Keeping

Background: High cognitive load during driving is often disruptive and one of the main causes of road accidents. Surprisingly, we know little about the effect (if any) of cognitive load immediately before driving, and even less about the effect of driving (with its own cognitive load) on subsequent performance in cognitive tasks. Method: The effect of cognitive load on a subsequent driving task was examined in Study 1 (n = 31). Participants completed a battery of cognitive tests with low or moderate cognitive demands and their driving performance on a simulator was assessed on two consecutive days (speed, distance from the car ahead, and lane keeping ability). Study 2 (n = 98) examined the effect of a cognitively demanding driving task on the performance of follow up cognitive task, the multi-source interference task (MSIT). In that study, accuracy, and reaction time to MSIT were compared in two conditions: no driving vs post-driving.Results: A moderate level of cognitive load pre-driving led to a modest increase in the distance kept from the car ahead, while a demanding period of driving led to a significant increase in cognitive performance when compared to the control condition (e.g., prior driving).Conclusion: The findings suggest that increases in cognitive processing during periods of demanding mental activity mobilise attentional processes which are likely to remain active for a short period of time benefiting subsequent cognitive performance.

Does overloading cognitive resources mimic the impact of anxiety on cognition?

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioannis Sarigiannidis ◽  
Jonathan Paul Roiser ◽  
Oliver Joe Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Load ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Time Perception ◽  
Cognitive Resources ◽  
Perception Task ◽  
Impact Performance ◽  
Attentional Resources ◽  
The World ◽  
The Impact

Anxiety alters how we perceive the world and can alter aspects of cognitive performance. Prominent theories of anxiety suggest that the effect of anxiety on cognition is due to anxious thoughts ‘overloading’ limited cognitive resources, competing with other processes. If this is so, then a cognitive load manipulation would impact performance of a task in the same way as induced anxiety. Thus, we examined the impact of a load manipulation on a time perception task that we have previously shown to be reliably impacted by anxiety. In contrast with our prediction, across two studies we found that time perception was insensitive to our load manipulation. Our results do not support the idea that anxiety impacts cognition by overloading limited cognitive resources. Thus, anxiety might affect cognition in a unique way, via an evolutionary-preserved defence survival system, as suggested by animal-inspired theories of anxiety, rather than competing for limited attentional resources.

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