We investigate how acute bouts of exercise delivered in various forms such as aerobic exercise and resistance exercise can affect executive function, a collection of high-order cognitive processes encompassing inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility that are essential for goal-directed behaviors and health outcomes. We also investigate how a single bout of exercise influences the encoding, storage, and retrieval of item-based memory (features within items such as the name of a road) and relational memory (relationships among the constituent elements such as navigating city streets in time and space). To better understand the neural mechanisms of the exercise-induced cognitive enhancement, our lab utilizes electroencephalogram (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate brain function as well as measures biomarkers in the blood following exercise.

Our ultimate goal is to design evidence-based exercise programs to enhance executive function and memory that are essential for learning and many daily life tasks while promoting physical activity and active lifestyle throughout the lifespan.

Publications resulting from this project:

• Aerobic exercise selectively counteracts the time-related decrements in conflict suppression, but not response inhibition, that contribute to inhibitory control performance. Click here.

• Attention allocation and processing speed involved during executive function can be enhanced after doing a single bout of exercise. Click here.

• High-intensity resistance exercise improves the processing speed of recognizing objects at the cost of less accurate recognition of those objects, known as a "speed-accuracy trade off". Click here.

Media coverage related to this project: 

• Purdue HHS news. Click here.

We are particularly interested in high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and its potential for enhancing executive function and memory while promoting physical activity. Our lab is also taking innovative approaches that are theory-driven and practically relevant to maximize the cognitive gains from engagement in HIIT. 

Publications resulting from this project:

• A single bout of HIIT enhances the information processing speed involved during inhibitory control in school-aged children. Click here.

• Delivering mindfulness-based activities during the recovery intervals of HIIT to enhance attention and executive function.

Media coverage related to this project: 

• Purdue HHS news. Click here.