Exercise improves reaction time without compromising accuracy in a novel easy-to-administer tablet-based cognitive task

Abstract Objectives Moderate intensity aerobic exercise is known to facilitate cognitive performance but new technologies enable increasing opportunities to investigate this phenomenon under different circumstances. This study aimed to describe the effect of exercise on executive function assessed though a novel tablet-based test. Design Twenty healthy, active participants volunteered to take part in the randomised fully controlled trial. Methods Participants undertook an initial test of maximal aerobic capacity as well as ventilatory threshold during an incremental cycle test. A touch screen tablet computer was placed in the middle of the handlebars at an angle of approximately 45°, and participants were asked to complete the response-inhibition cognitive task (Speed Match, Lumos Labs Inc.) at set time points. A full familiarisation trial was performed prior to subsequent visits, in which participants completed either the control (no exercise) and exercise (90% ventilatory threshold (VT)) trials in a randomised order. During the 1 h trials, the cognitive task was performed prior to, during and post the intervention. Reaction time and accuracy of participant responses were recorded. Results Performing the cognitive task resulted in elevated heart rates and ventilation rates during control and exercise. Exercise facilitated performance in the executive function task such that reaction time was enhanced with no change in accuracy. A range of reliability measures are also reported. Conclusions This method of assessing executive function during exercise displays face validity and provides promise for further investigation of cognitive function using a simple, short duration, easily administered and widely available test.