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 (2019)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Conference contribution

Publication year: 2019

Conference Proceedings Title: Abstractband zur 16. Jahrestagung der dvs-Sektion Sportmotorik

Event location: Bern

URI: https://boris.unibe.ch/123517/

DOI: 10.7892/boris.123517

Abstract

Introduction

Recent evidence suggests that single bouts of aerobic exercise performed in close proximity to motor practice can enhance skill acquisition (online learning) and consolidation (offline learning) (Roig et al., 2016). High-intensity bouts have been suggested to be particularly effective in improving consolidation, whereas moderate-intensity bouts may enhance skill acquisition. However, this suggested dose-response relationship has not been investigated systematically. 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

49 healthy young adults (age: 25.41 ± 2.86; BMI: 23.09 ± 2.36) were randomized into one of three groups performing either 1) high-intensity interval exercise at 90%/60% W_max (EX-H; n = 15), 2) moderate-intensity interval exercise at 45%/25% W_max (EX-M; n = 17), or 3) continuous minimal-intense exercise at 25 W (CON; n = 17) for a total of 17 minutes immediately prior to practicing a motor skill. The motor task required participants to stand on a tiltable (20°) platform (stabilometer), and to balance it in a horizontal position for 30 seconds. For each experimental condition, subjects performed 15 trials, followed by a retention test (1 block of 3 trials) 24 hours later. Time in balance (platform within ±5° from horizontal) was calculated for each trial and within- and between-group differences in online learning (skill improvement from baseline to last acquisition trial) and offline learning (performance change from last acquisition to first retention block) analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA. 

Results

On acquisition day, all participants significantly improved balance time (F_8.7,398.9 = 26.6; p < .001) with no differences observed between experimental conditions (F_2,46 = 0.3; p = .733). Similarly, there were no differences in offline learning gains between groups (F_2,46 = 1.115; p = .337).

Discussion

Motor skill acquisition as well as consolidation was not improved by aerobic exercise, irrespective of exercise intensity. 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 skill practice and may indicate modulating effects of the motor learning task.

References

Roig, M., Thomas, R., Mang, C. S., Snow, N. J., Ostadan, F., Boyd, L. A. et al. (2016). Time-Dependent Effects of Cardiovascular Exercise on Memory. Exercise and sport sciences reviews, 44 (2), 81-88. doi:10.1249/JES.0000000000000078

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How to cite

APA:

Wanner, P., Müller, T., Pfeifer, K., & Steib, S. (2019). Effects of a single bout of aerobic exercise on motor skill acquisition and consolidation: a comparison of different exercise intensities. In Klostermann, A., Vater, C., & Hossner, E.-J. (Eds.), Abstractband zur 16. Jahrestagung der dvs-Sektion Sportmotorik. Bern, CH.

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." Proceedings of the Sportmotorik 2019: Adaptation, Lernen und virtuelle Welten, Bern Ed. Klostermann, A., Vater, C., & Hossner, E.-J., 2019.

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