journal article·2025-01Open access

Effects of Physical Exercise Breaks on Executive Function in a Simulated Classroom Setting: Uncovering a Window into the Brain

Qian Yu, Zhihao Zhang, Sebastian Ludyga, Kirk I. Erickson, Boris Cheval, Meijun Hou, Dominika M. Pindus, Charles H. Hillman, Arthur F. Kramer, Ryan S. Falck, Teresa Liu‐Ambrose, Jin Kuang, Sean P. Mullen, Keita Kamijo, Toru Ishihara, David A. Raichlen, Matthew Heath, David Moreau, André O. Werneck, Fabian Herold, Liye Zou

Advanced Science· Volume 12· Issue 3

Abstract

Abstract Acknowledging the detrimental effects of prolonged sitting, this study examined the effects of an acute exercise break during prolonged sitting on executive function, cortical hemodynamics, and microvascular status. In this randomized crossover study, 71 college students completed three conditions: (i) uninterrupted sitting (SIT); (ii) SIT with a 15 min moderate‐intensity cycling break (MIC); and (iii) SIT with a 15 min vigorous‐intensity cycling break (VIC). Behavioral outcomes, retinal vessel diameters (central retinal artery equivalents [CRAE], retinal vein equivalents [CRVE], arteriovenous ratio [AVR]), cortical activation, and effective connectivity were evaluated. Linear mixed models identified significant positive effects of exercise conditions on behavioral reaction time (RT), error rate, and inverse efficiency score (β = −2.62, −0.19, −3.04: ps < 0.05). MIC and VIC conditions produced pre‐to‐post‐intervention increases in CRAE and CRVE (β = 4.46, 6.34), frontal activation, and resting‐state and task‐state causal density (β = 0.37, 0.06) (ps < 0.05) compared to SIT; VIC was more beneficial for executive function and neurobiological parameters. The effect of AVR on average RT was mediated through task‐based causal density (indirect effect: −0.82). Acutely interrupting prolonged sitting improves executive function, microvascular status, and cortical activation and connectivity, with causal density mediating the microvascular‐executive function link.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Optical Imaging and Spectroscopy Techniques · Blood Pressure and Hypertension Studies · Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Body‐Brain‐Mind Laboratory School of Psychology Shenzhen University Shenzhen 518060 China

Faculty of Education University of Macau Macau 999078 China

Department of Sport, Exercise, and Health University of Basel Basel 4052 Switzerland

AdventHealth Research Institute, Neuroscience Orlando FL 32101 USA

Department of Psychology University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh 15260 USA

Department of Sport Sciences and Physical Education Ecole Normale Supérieure Rennes Bruz 35170 France

Laboratory VIPS2 University of Rennes Rennes 35042 France

Department of Health and Kinesiology University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Urbana IL 61801 USA

Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Urbana IL 61801 USA

Neuroscience Program University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Urbana IL 61801 USA

Center for Cognitive and Brain Health Northeastern University Boston MA USA

Department of Physical Therapy, Movement, and Rehabilitation Sciences Northeastern University Boston MA 02115 USA

Department of Psychology Northeastern University Boston MA 02115 USA

Department of Physical Therapy Faculty of Medicine University of British Columbia Vancouver British Columbia V6T 1Z4 Canada

Centre for Aging SMART at Vancouver Coastal Health Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute University of British Columbia Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4 Canada

Center for Social & Behavioral Science University of Illinois, Urbana‐Champaign Champaign 61820 USA

Informatics Programs University of Illinois, Urbana‐Champaign Champaign 61820 USA

Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences Chukyo University Nagoya 466‐8666 Japan

Graduate School of Human Development and Environment Kobe University Kobe 657‐8501 Japan

Human and Evolutionary Biology Section Department of Biological Sciences University of Southern California Los Angeles CA 90089 USA

Department of Anthropology University of Southern California Los Angeles CA 90089 USA

School of Kinesiology Faculty of Health Sciences University of Western Ontario 1151 Richmond St London ON N6A 3K7 Canada

Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging University of Western Ontario 1201 Western Rd London ON N6G 1H1 Canada

Graduate Program in Neuroscience University of Western Ontario 1151 Richmond St London ON N6A 3K7 Canada

School of Psychology and Centre for Brain Research University of Auckland Auckland 1030 New Zealand

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