A shortterm exercise program consisting of mobilizing and coordinative movements has a positive influence on the performance of concentration. The correlation between performance of concentration and alpha-power assumes an influence of acute exercise on cognition, Andrea Geipel (Technical University Munich) reports.
"A large number of studies postulate a beneficial relationship between physical activity and cognition. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of a short-term exercise program on behavioral and neuroelectric measurements.
Method: 28 subjects took part in this study. The experimental group carried a short-term exercise program before and after conducting the d2, a performance test for concentration, meanwhile the control group was allowed to read through magazines. During the whole experiment EEG-data was recorded.
Results: Performance on the d2-test was significantly influenced by the short-term exercise program. Additionally, the sportive subjects showed significantly higher performance of concentration than non-sportive. EEG assessment showed significant positive correlations between the alpha-rhythm and the performance of concentration at parietal and occipital electrodes of the right hemisphere and significant negative correlations at similar electrodes of the left hemisphere ..."
Literature on the subject:
Abstracts of the 56th Conference of Experimental Psychologists
Schütz, Alexander C.; Drewing, Knut; Gegenfurtner, Karl R. (Eds.)
