The experiment involved 76 men and women who wore activity trackers for eight days. Each day of the experiment, they completed various cognitive tests that demonstrated memory function and thinking. The findings of the study are published on the University College London website.
In the first phase, scientists found that moderate to vigorous exercise improved participants’ cognitive performance the following day. Until now, it was thought that physical activity provided such benefits for only a few hours, but it is now clear that they last for 24 hours.
For example, the scientists noted improvements in working and episodic memory. They took into account any physical activity that made the pulse quicken. For example, it could be fast walking, climbing stairs, dancing, etc.
"In the short term, exercise increases blood flow to the brain and stimulates the release of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine, which aid a range of cognitive functions," the scientists explained.
In contrast, a sedentary daily routine was associated with worse cognitive performance over the following 24 hours.
On the other hand, sleep also provided improved cognitive abilities the next day. Participants who slept more than six hours a night showed a better result. The scientists explain this by the fact that with longer sleep, participants were more often in the deep sleep phase, which is associated with improved memory.
Earlier, in another study, scientists found out how poor sleep impairs memory. It turned out that the processing of past experiences continues for a long time, so both one-time and long-term sleep disturbances worsen memory. At the same time, alternating lack of sleep and normal rest does not help.
