High-Intensity Acute Exercise and Directed Forgetting on Memory Function

Background and Objectives: Despite accumulating research demonstrating that acute exercise may enhance memory function, very little research has evaluated whether acute exercise can effectuate intentional directed forgetting (DF), an adaptative strategy to facilitate subsequent memory performance. Materials and Methods: A three-arm parallel-group randomized controlled intervention was employed. Participants were randomized into one of three groups, including: (1) exercise plus DF (Ex + DF), (2) DF (directed forgetting) only (DF) and (3) R (remember) only (R). The acute bout of exercise included 15 min of high-intensity treadmill exercise. The memory assessment involved the presentation of two-word lists. After encoding the first word list, participants were either instructed to forget all of those words (DF) or to remember them. Following this, participants encoded the second word list. Results: We observed a statistically significant main effect for list F(1, 57) = 12.27, p < 0.001, η2p = 0.18, but no main effect for group F(2, 57) = 1.32, p = 0.27, η2p = 0.04, or list by group interaction, F(2, 57) = 2.89, p = 0.06, η2p = 0.09. Conclusion: This study demonstrates a directed forgetting effect in that cueing an individual to forget a previously encoded list of items facilitates memory performance on a subsequent list of items. However, we failed to demonstrate any beneficial effect of acute exercise in facilitating directed forgetting. These findings are discussed in the context of directed forgetting theories, particularly the attention inhibition mechanism, as well as the timing of the acute bout of exercise.

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The effects of acute exercise on short- and long-term memory: Considerations for the timing of exercise and phases of memory

Europe’s Journal of Psychology ◽

10.5964/ejop.2955 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 85-103

Author(s):

Paul D. Loprinzi ◽

Sierra Day ◽

Rebecca Hendry ◽

Sara Hoffman ◽

Alexis Love ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

High Intensity ◽

Acute Exercise ◽

Memory Function ◽

Word List ◽

Long Term Memory ◽

Heart Rate Reserve ◽

Term Memory ◽

Short And Long Term

The specific questions addressed from this research include: (1) Does high-intensity acute exercise improve memory?, (2) If so, do the mechanisms occur via encoding, consolidation, or retrieval? and (3) If acute exercise occurs in multiple phases of memory (e.g., before encoding and during consolidation), does this have an additive effect on memory? Three experimental, within-subject, counterbalanced studies were conducted among young adults. High-intensity exercise involved a 20-minutes bout of exercise at 75% of heart rate reserve. Memory was evaluated from a word-list task, including multiple evaluations out to 24-hours post-encoding. The timing of the exercise and memory assessments were carefully positioned to evaluate whether any improvements in memory were driven by mechanisms related to encoding, consolidation, and/or retrieval. We demonstrated that high-intensity acute exercise enhanced memory. This effect was robust (repeatable) and occurred through encoding, consolidation and retrieval-based mechanisms. Further, incorporating acute exercise into multiple phases of memory additively enhanced memory function.

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Acute exercise on memory function: open vs. closed skilled exercise

Health Promotion Perspectives ◽

10.34172/hpp.2020.20 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 123-128 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Justin Cantrelle ◽

Grace Burnett ◽

Paul D. Loprinzi

Keyword(s):

Prospective Memory ◽

Acute Exercise ◽

Treadmill Exercise ◽

Memory Function ◽

Word List ◽

Retrospective Memory ◽

Experimental Conditions ◽

Main Effect ◽

Exercise Treadmill ◽

Unpredictable Environment

Background: Previous studies suggest that acute exercise may improve memory function. Few studies, however, have investigated the differential effect of the acute exercise movement patterns on memory. Such an effect is plausible, as research demonstrates that open-skilled exercise (e.g.,racquetball) may have a greater effect on memory-related neurotrophins (e.g., brain-derived neurotrophic factors) when compared to closed-skilled exercise (e.g. treadmill exercise). A key distinction between open- and closed-skilled exercise is that open-skilled exercises are those that require an individual to react in a dynamic way to a changing, unpredictable environment. Our aim in this study was to assess wether retrospective and prospective memory are differentially influenced from open- and closed-skilled acute exercise. Methods: A within-subject design was employed. Participants (Mage = 20.6 years; 69% female)completed two visits, in a counterbalanced order. The two experimental conditions included open-skilled acute exercise (racquetball) and closed-skilled acute exercise (treadmill exercise),each lasting 30-minute at 60% of heart rate reserve (HRR). During both experimental conditions,participants completed short- and long-term assessments of retrospective and prospective memory function. Retrospective memory was evaluated across multiple word-list trials (e.g.,Trials 1-6, 20-minute delay, 24-hour delay). Results: No significant effect of exercise was found on prospective memory. For retrospective memory, there was a significant main effect for condition, F(1, 57) = 5.33, P = 0.02, η2 = 0.004,main effect for trial, F(4.12, 234.9) = 227.85, P < 0.001, η2 = 0.46, but no condition by trial interaction, F(4.63, 264.08) = 1.022, P = 0.40, η2 = 0.002. Conclusion: Retrospective memory was greater after closed-skilled exercise (treadmill) when compared to open-skilled exercise (racquetball).

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Exercise and Episodic Specificity Induction on Episodic Memory Function

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina55080422 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 55 (8) ◽

pp. 422

Author(s):

Loprinzi ◽

McRaney ◽

Luca ◽

McDonald

Keyword(s):

Episodic Memory ◽

Acute Exercise ◽

Memory Performance ◽

Memory Function ◽

Memory Task ◽

Exercise Group ◽

Acute Bout ◽

Short Video ◽

Two Parameters ◽

Main Effects

Background and objectives: Episodic specific induction (ESI) is a manipulation shown to enhance episodic memory function. Episodic specificity induction involves thoroughly unpacking a recently encoded memory, with this enhanced retrieval-induced process helping to facilitate subsequent cognitions. In addition to ESI, emerging work suggests that acute exercise may also help to facilitate episodic memory function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential individual and combined effects of acute exercise and ESI on subsequent episodic memory performance. Materials and Methods: Participants (n = 120) were randomly assigned into one of four groups, (1) ESI and exercise (ESI + E), (2) ESI only (ESI), (3) exercise only (E), and (4) no ESI and no exercise (Control; C). The ESI protocol involved watching a short video and then recalling details about the setting, people, and actions in the video. The exercise protocol involved an acute bout (15 min) of treadmill exercise. After these tasks, episodic memory function was evaluated with an autobiographical interview assessment and a computerized episodic memory task involving what–where–when integration. Results: We did not observe significant main effects for exercise or ESI on memory function but did observe some suggestive evidence of an interaction effect of these two parameters on episodic memory. That is, for the exercise group, memory performance was higher when combined with ESI as opposed to without ESI. Conclusions: Acute exercise and ESI may interact to influence episodic memory function.

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Impact of Comorbid Depression on Serial Position Effects in Alzheimer’s Disease

GeroPsych ◽

10.1024/1662-9647/a000115 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 27 (4) ◽

pp. 161-169 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Nienke A. Hofrichter ◽

Sandra Dick ◽

Thomas G. Riemer ◽

Carsten Schleussner ◽

Monique Goerke ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Serial Position ◽

Episodic Memory ◽

Memory Performance ◽

Memory Function ◽

Word List ◽

Position Effects ◽

Serial Position Effects ◽

List Memory

Hippocampal dysfunction and deficits in episodic memory have been reported for both Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). Primacy performance has been associated with hippocampus-dependent episodic memory, while recency may reflect working memory performance. In this study, serial position profiles were examined in a total of 73 patients with MDD, AD, both AD and MDD, and healthy controls (HC) by means of CERAD-NP word list memory. Primacy performance was most impaired in AD with comorbid MDD, followed by AD, MDD, and HC. Recency performance, on the other hand, was comparable across groups. These findings indicate that primacy in AD is impaired in the presence of comorbid MDD, suggesting additive performance decrements in this specific episodic memory function.

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The effects of acute exercise on episodic memory function among young university students: moderation considerations by biological sex

Health Promotion Perspectives ◽

10.15171/hpp.2019.14 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 99-104 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Lauren Johnson ◽

Paul D. Loprinzi

Keyword(s):

Episodic Memory ◽

University Students ◽

Verbal Memory ◽

Acute Exercise ◽

Memory Function ◽

Verbal Learning ◽

Memory Task ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Term Memory ◽

Main Effect

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate potential sex-specific differences on episodic memory function and determine whether sex moderates the effects of acute exercise on episodic memory.Methods: A randomized controlled intervention was employed. This experiment was conducted among young University students (mean age = 21 years). Both males (n=20) and females (n=20)completed two counterbalanced laboratory visits, with one visit involving a 15-minute bout of moderate-intensity exercise prior to the memory task. The control visit engaged in a time matched seated task. Memory function (including short-term memory, learning, and long-term memory) was assessed from the RAVLT (Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test).Results: We observed a significant main effect for time (P<0.001, ƞ2p= 0.77) and a marginally significant main effect for sex (P=0.06, ƞ2p= 0.09), but no time by sex by condition interaction(P=0.91, ƞ2p= 0.01). We also observed some suggestive evidence of a more beneficial effect of acute exercise on memory for females. Conclusion: In conclusion, females outperformed males in verbal memory function. Additional research is needed to further evaluate whether sex moderates the effects of acute exercise on memory function.

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Experimental Effects of Acute Exercise on Prospective Memory and False Memory

Psychological Reports ◽

10.1177/0033294118782466 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 122 (4) ◽

pp. 1313-1326 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

David Green ◽

Paul D. Loprinzi

Keyword(s):

False Memory ◽

Prospective Memory ◽

Acute Exercise ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Memory Performance ◽

Word List ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Control Group ◽

Group Time ◽

Group 15

Research demonstrates that acute exercise can enhance retrospective episodic memory performance. However, limited research has examined the effects of acute exercise on prospective memory, and no studies have examined the effects of exercise on false memory performance. This study examined the potential effects of acute exercise on prospective memory and false memory performance. A between-group randomized controlled trial was employed, with participants (college students; Mage = 20 years) randomized into an exercise group (15-minute acute bout of treadmill walking; N = 25) or a control group (15 minutes of sitting; N = 26). Prospective memory was assessed from two laboratory and two naturalistic assessments outside the lab. False memory was assessed using a word-list trial. There were no statistically significant differences in prospective memory based on group allocation (FGroup×Time = 1.17; P = 0.32; η2 = 0.06). However, the control group recalled more false words and had a higher rate of false memory recognition (FGroup×Time = 3.15; P = 0.01; η2 = 0.26). These findings indicate that acute moderate-intensity aerobic exercise is not associated with prospective memory performance but provides some suggestive evidence that acute exercise may reduce the rate of false memories.

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Exercise and Retrieval-Induced Forgetting

Psych ◽

10.3390/psych1010030 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 405-411

Author(s):

Justin Cantrelle ◽

Paul Loprinzi

Keyword(s):

Acute Exercise ◽

Retrieval Practice ◽

Memory Task ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Control Group ◽

Moderate Intensity Exercise ◽

Parallel Group ◽

Main Effect ◽

Induced Forgetting ◽

Experimental Group

Retrieving a subset of items from memory can cause forgetting of other related items in memory, referred to as retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF). This type of forgetting (RIF) is thought to be related to working memory and executive control processes, of which are known to be influenced by acute exercise. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether acute exercise could accentuate RIF. A two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled intervention was employed. Participants (N = 40) were randomized into one of two groups, including an experimental group (15-min of moderate-intensity exercise) and a control group (time-matched seated task). Retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF) and retrieval practice (RP) were assessed from a category-exemplar memory task. There was no significant main effect for RIF and no group by RIF interaction, suggesting that acute exercise did not alter RIF more than the control group. There was a significant main effect for RP, but there was no group by RP interaction. These RP findings align with the RIF findings, indicating that acute exercise did not alter RP more so than the control group. In conclusion, our experimental results do not provide support for an association of acute exercise on retrieval-induced forgetting or retrieval practice.

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Experimental Manipulation of Psychological Control Scenarios: Implications for Exercise and Memory Research

Psych ◽

10.3390/psych1010019 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 279-289 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Jeremiah Blough ◽

Paul D. Loprinzi

Keyword(s):

Psychological Control ◽

Acute Exercise ◽

Memory Performance ◽

Memory Function ◽

Cognitive Engagement ◽

Outcome Expectations ◽

Experimental Manipulation ◽

Exercise Session ◽

Memory Research ◽

Future Studies

The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the extent to which variations in control activities influence memory function, as well as to investigate the participants’ memory expectations for the various conditions. A within-subject, counterbalanced experimental design was employed. Across four visits, participants engaged in four tasks, including an acute exercise session, and three cognitive-engagement control tasks of varying degrees of cognitive engagement and valence, namely reading neutral text, looking at a video, and puzzle completion. Participants’ perceived expectations for how each condition would improve their memory performance was also assessed. We observed no differences in objective cognitive performance or outcome expectations across the three evaluated control tasks, and thus, future studies may wish to employ either of these control tasks, which should not compromise making comparisons across studies.

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Effects of Exercise on Explicit Memory Function: Incidental and Intentional Encoding May Depend on Exercise Timing

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.1177/0031512520979671 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 003151252097967

Author(s):

Paul D. Loprinzi ◽

Ashley Lovorn ◽

Jackson Gilmore

Keyword(s):

High Intensity ◽

Explicit Memory ◽

Acute Exercise ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Memory Function ◽

Recognition Task ◽

High Intensity Exercise ◽

Exercise Behavior ◽

Control Group ◽

Exercise Timing

The present experiment evaluated the effects of self-reported exercise behavior and an acute bout of high-intensity exercise on explicit memory function. The memory tasks were encoded either incidentally or intentionally; for intentional encoding, participants were told to focus on memorizing the stimuli (words), whereas for incidental encoding, participants were unaware that they would be subsequently asked to complete an object recognition task. Among a sample of 150 adults (Mage = 20 years), randomly assigned experimental participants engaged in the following task sequence: (a) incidentally encoded a series of objects, (b) engaged in 20 minutes of high-intensity exercise, (c) intentionally encoded a word list, and (d) completed explicit memory retrieval tasks. Control group participants viewed a time matched video in lieu of high intensity exercise. We measured self-reported exercise behavior via an exercise questionnaire. We did not observe convincing evidence of an effect of high-intensity acute exercise, when occurring during the early consolidation period, on memory function, for either incidental or intentional encoding tasks. However, self-reported engagement in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was favorably associated with explicit memory performance.

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Rapid stimulation of human dentate gyrus function with acute mild exercise

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.1805668115 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 115 (41) ◽

pp. 10487-10492 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

Kazuya Suwabe ◽

Kyeongho Byun ◽

Kazuki Hyodo ◽

Zachariah M. Reagh ◽

Jared M. Roberts ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Functional Connectivity ◽

Dentate Gyrus ◽

Acute Exercise ◽

Memory Performance ◽

Memory Function ◽

Pattern Separation ◽

Treadmill Running ◽

Intensity Level ◽

Individual Subject ◽

The Impact

Physical exercise has beneficial effects on neurocognitive function, including hippocampus-dependent episodic memory. Exercise intensity level can be assessed according to whether it induces a stress response; the most effective exercise for improving hippocampal function remains unclear. Our prior work using a special treadmill running model in animals has shown that stress-free mild exercise increases hippocampal neuronal activity and promotes adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus, improving spatial memory performance. However, the rapid modification, from mild exercise, on hippocampal memory function and the exact mechanisms for these changes, in particular the impact on pattern separation acting in the DG and CA3 regions, are yet to be elucidated. To this end, we adopted an acute-exercise design in humans, coupled with high-resolution functional MRI techniques, capable of resolving hippocampal subfields. A single 10-min bout of very light-intensity exercise (30%V˙O2peak) results in rapid enhancement in pattern separation and an increase in functional connectivity between hippocampal DG/CA3 and cortical regions (i.e., parahippocampal, angular, and fusiform gyri). Importantly, the magnitude of the enhanced functional connectivity predicted the extent of memory improvement at an individual subject level. These results suggest that brief, very light exercise rapidly enhances hippocampal memory function, possibly by increasing DG/CA3−neocortical functional connectivity.

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