The experiment involved 76 men and women who wore activity trackers for eight days. Each day, they completed various cognitive tests that measured memory and thinking skills. The study findings were published on the University College London website.
In the first phase, scientists found that moderate or intense physical activity improved participants' cognitive performance the following day. Previously, it was believed that physical activity provided such benefits only for a few hours, but it is now clear that they persist for 24 hours.
For example, the scientists noted improvements in working and episodic memory. They took into account any physical activity that increased heart rate, such as brisk walking, climbing stairs, dancing, and so on.
"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 ensured improved cognitive performance the following day. Participants who slept more than six hours a night showed better results. The scientists explain this by the fact that with longer sleep, participants were more likely to be in the deep sleep phase, which is associated with improved memory.
In another study, researchers previously discovered how poor sleep impairs memory. It turned out that processing experiences takes a long time, so both one-time and long-term sleep disruptions impair memory. However, alternating between sleep deprivation and adequate rest does not help.
