The effect of incremental exercise on cognitive performance

Research examining the effect of incremental exercise on cognitive performa nce has claimed that increases in exercise intensity result in increases in arousal. An inverted-U effect of incremental exercise on cognitive functio n has been hypothesized. The majority of researchers have drawn upon unidim ensional theories of arousal as the underlying rationale for the hypotheses . Some more recent papers, however, indicate that multidimensional, allocat able resource theories are better able to explain the effect of incremental exercise on cognitive performance. This paper examines the extent to which empirical research supports these theoretical underpinnings. It is conclud ed that incremental exercise has generally shown no significant effect on a ccuracy of cognitive performance. Cognitive effort can allocate resources t o task relevant information, even during maximal exercise. Increases in spe ed of cognition, from rest, are thought to occur when individuals reach the ir plasma adrenaline threshold. Results, comparing speed of cognition at re st with those during heavy exercise, suggest that speed of performance on c omplex tasks is facilitated by increases in allocatable resources, while si mple tasks are unaffected.