The Effects of Externally Paced Exercise on Executive Function and Stress in College-Aged Students

Purpose The purpose of the study was to investigate the acute effect of a beginner martial art class and aerobic exercise on executive function (EF) in college-aged young adults. There is overwhelming evidence that demonstrates acute as well as long-term aerobic exercise improves EF. Nevertheless, there is limited research comparing externally paced exercise (EPE) to self-paced exercise (SPE) such as walking on improving EF. EPE requires greater cortical demand than SPE to execute a motor plan. Methods Eight men and eight women, aged 24.2 ± 2.8 years, participated in a Repeated Measures Crossover Design. Pre- and post-testing of EF with the Stroop and Tower of London (ToL) and stress level were measured after each of the two 1-h conditions: the SPE consisted of a walk (aerobic exercise) and the EPE was a beginner martial art class. Results There were significant main effects for the martial art class for the Stroop’s mean reaction time for congruent trials ( P = 0.01) with a large-effect size. The mean reaction time for incongruent trials was significant ( P = 0.05) with a medium-effect size. The ToL’s mean solution time ( P = 0.003) and mean execution time ( P = 0.002) were also significant with large-effect sizes. Stress levels were not significantly improved following either condition. Conclusion The martial art class significantly improved all the major domains of EF, while aerobic exercise of a similar intensity did not demonstrate any measured significant changes. The physiological benefits of physical exercise are well documented; however, the cognitive enhancing capability of EPE should also be appreciated given the results of this study.