A recent study published in the prestigious journal Psychological Bulletin has revealed that acute exercise can significantly enhance cognitive function in the human brain, garnering widespread public attention.
This research is a cross-national collaboration between Chang Yu-kai (張育愷), Distinguished Professor of Physical Education and Sport Sciences at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU), and Jennifer Etnier, Distinguished Professor at the University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNC Greensboro).
In 2012, Chang discovered that a single session of exercise could improve cognitive performance, a finding that was later included in the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. His team, in collaboration with their U.S. counterparts, conducted a comprehensive review of 383 studies involving more than 18,000 participants.
The study’s findings indicate that acute exercise can boost cognitive function by up to 10%, regardless of age, though the effect is particularly pronounced in individuals under 18. Chang refers to this phenomenon as “sharpening the brain.” He explains that cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and executive functions can be enhanced through acute exercise.
Chang recommends that individuals aim for at least 20 minutes of exercise per session to improve cognitive function. He encourages students to incorporate physical activity to boost cognitive and executive functions and suggests that office workers take 20-minute jogs during lunch breaks. For seniors, Chang advocates for CrossFit exercises to enhance memory, prevent dementia, and improve overall quality of life and independence.