Effects of a single bout of aerobic exercise on motor skill acquisition and consolidation: a comparison of different exercise intensities

Wanner P, Müller T, Pfeifer K, Steib S (2018)


Publication Type: Book chapter / Article in edited volumes

Publication year: 2018

Edited Volumes: 23rd Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science. 4th-7th July 2018, Dublin - Ireland. Book of Abstracts

Pages Range: 364

ISBN: 978-3-9818414-1-1

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Recent evidence suggests that single bouts of aerobic exercise performed in close proximity to motor practice can enhance skill acquisition and consolidation (Roig et al., 2016). High-intensity bouts have been suggested to be particularly effective in improving consolidation (Roig et al., 2012). However, to date this has only been demonstrated for fine motor skills. Further, high-intensity exercise may interfere with skill acquisition, and is not practicable in all settings. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise i) carried out immediately prior to motor practice, and ii) performed at different exercise intensities on learning a novel balancing task.

METHODS: 35 healthy young adults (age: 25.57 ± 2.66; BMI: 22.99 ± 2.15) were allocated after stratified block randomization to one of three groups performing either 1) high-intensity interval exercise at 90%/60% Wmax (EX-H; n = 10), 2) moderate-intensity interval exercise at 45%/25% Wmax (EX-M; n = 12), or 3) continuous minimal-intense exercise at 25 W (CON; n = 13). All groups exercised on a cycle ergometer for a total of 17 min immediately prior to practicing a novel motor skill. The task required participants to stand on a tiltable (30°) wooden platform (stabilometer), and to stabilize it in a horizontal position for 30 seconds. For each experimental condition, subjects performed 15 trials (3 blocks of 5 trials), followed by a retention test (2 trials) 24 hours later. Time in balance (platform within ±5° from horizontal) and average angular deviation from horizontal (RMSE) were calculated for each trial. Within- and between-group changes over time were tested using repeated measures ANOVA.

RESULTS: On acquisition day, all participants significantly improved balance time (+34.7%; TIME main effect: F14,270 = 17.8; p < .001) and RMSE (-56.2%; TIME main effect: F14,277 = 28.2; p < .001), with no differences observed between experimental conditions. At retention, all groups demonstrated sustained performance (change from last two acquisition trials to retention) in balance time (F1,32 = 0.86; p = 0.360), with no significant group differences (F2,32 = 0.87; p = 0.434). For RMSE, performance significantly worsened only in the EX-H group (+13.6%; p = 0.008), and a similar tendency existed in the CON group (+9.16%; p = 0.067).
CONCLUSION: Motor skill acquisition was not improved by aerobic exercise, irrespective of exercise intensity. Interestingly, a trend existed for improved consolidation by moderate-intense cycling. The present findings do not confirm the positive effects of high-intensity aerobic exercise on motor learning, when exercise is performed immediately prior to motor learning.

REFERENCES:
Roig, M., Skriver, K., et al. (2012). PloS one, 7(9), e44594.
Roig, M., Thomas, R., et al. (2016). Exercise and sport sciences reviews, 44(2), 81–88.

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APA:

Wanner, P., Müller, T., Pfeifer, K., & Steib, S. (2018). Effects of a single bout of aerobic exercise on motor skill acquisition and consolidation: a comparison of different exercise intensities. In Murphy, M., Boreham, C., De Vito, G., Tsolakidis, E. (Eds.), 23rd Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science. 4th-7th July 2018, Dublin - Ireland. Book of Abstracts. (pp. 364).

MLA:

Wanner, Philipp, et al. "Effects of a single bout of aerobic exercise on motor skill acquisition and consolidation: a comparison of different exercise intensities." 23rd Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science. 4th-7th July 2018, Dublin - Ireland. Book of Abstracts. Ed. Murphy, M., Boreham, C., De Vito, G., Tsolakidis, E., 2018. 364.

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