Randomized Controlled Trial Examining the Long-Term Memory Effects of Acute Exercise During the Memory Consolidation Stage of Memory Formation

Research in humans demonstrates that exercise prior to memory encoding can help to facilitate memory function. However, our understanding of whether exercise during the memory consolidation stage can influence long-term memory in humans is relatively unknown, which was the purpose of this experiment. A secondary purpose was to evaluate the effects of exercise on prospective memory. Using a randomized controlled trial design, at baseline, two groups (n = 20 per group) were exposed to a word-list episodic memory function test (RAVLT; ray auditory verbal learning task). Afterward, one group (experimental) came back into the laboratory to complete a high-intensity bout of treadmill exercise for 15 min. This exercise occurred approximately 4 h after memory encoding (i.e., during the memory consolidation stage). Both groups (experimental and control) completed a 24-h follow-up evaluation assessing their recognition and source attribution memory of the baseline memory assessment. At the 24-h follow-up period, the experimental group had a greater source attribution memory score (20.8 vs. 18.4 words; P = .04). Acute exercise was not associated with prospective memory. In conclusion, high-intensity exercise during the memory consolidation stage was effective in increasing source attribution memory function.