The effect of exercise-induced arousal on cognitive task performance: a meta regression analysis

This study explores the impact of acute exercise on cognitive performance through a meta-analytic assessment. The results suggest a complex relationship between exercise and cognition, with the type of cognitive task and exercise intensity playing a role. The study also finds a positive relationship between steady-state exercise and cognitive performance.

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Running Head: EXERCISE AND COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE IN A LETTER
DETECTION TASK 1
Title
The effect of exercise- induced arousal on cognitive task performance: a meta regression
analysis

Running Head: EXERCISE AND COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE IN A LETTER
DETECTION TASK 2
Abstract
The present study is based upon the effect of acute exercise on the cognitive
performance that further examine through meta analytic assessment. Through the study,
results generated that clearly indicate the complex relation between an exercise and
cognition. Thus, it is analysed that cognitive performance is enhanced only when it is
measured, the type of cognitive task which is selected the type of performed. Also, through
the study, positive effect of steady- state exercise, fatigue exercise through hypothesis by
conducting t-test in the report where 416 undergraduate students from the School of Applied
Psychology as a sample are randomly selected and results shows that there is a positive
relationship between these two variables.

Running Head: EXERCISE AND COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE IN A LETTER
DETECTION TASK 3
Introduction
Many individuals are describe as a changes in their ability in order to perform the
mental task during as well as after the exercise. It is so because exercise leads to increase the
mental perception as well as help to clarify the thoughts. In the same through the study,
researcher wants to describe the relationship between the exercise and cognitive function of a
human body. Most of the secondary research is also conduct study on the same in which
arousal theory is used which motivate the people to perform actions in order to maintain the
optimum level of physiological arousal.
Dall’Acqua and et.al., (2018) stated that meta analytic procedures are provide an
alternative methods in order to examine the impact of acute exercise on cognition which is
related to magnitude and direction. That is why, to analyse the effect of exercise upon the
cognitive performance, t-test is used that assist to analyse the difference or relationship
between these two. Further, exercised physiologist also have assessed how the specific areas
of the brain involved in the imitation of a physical activity and also by taking a feedback
from the others will also assist to determine the exact weak point within a body. In the
present study, there are three type of exercise performed such that ‘no exercise’ group, the ‘1
minute seated cycling’ group and the ‘2 minute seated cycling’ that helps to determine the
impact upon cognitive performance.
The rationale behind conducting the study is to determine the relationship between the
exercise with cognitive performance and through this study, researcher creates awareness
among people related to exercise and this in turn promote them to start investing time is
exercise in order to stay fit and healthy. The current study is different from other research
because in this, statistical method under quantitative research strategy is used that help to
meet the define aim and analyse the results in proper manner (Herman, Critchley and Duka,
2019). Further, another rationale for this study is such that researcher have their own interest
because it will help to enhance the overall knowledge related to study.
For the current study, the research question is to analyse the relationship between
exercise and its impact upon the cognitive performance.
Hypothesis 1:
Null Hypothesis: There is no statistical difference between no exercise and 1 minute seated
cycling.

Running Head: EXERCISE AND COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE IN A LETTER
DETECTION TASK 4
Alternative Hypothesis: There is a statistical different between no exercise and 1 minute
seated cycling.
Hypothesis 2:
Null Hypothesis: There is no statistical difference between no exercise and 2 minute seated
cycling.
Alternative Hypothesis: There is a statistical different between no exercise and 2 minute
seated cycling.
Hypothesis 3:
Null Hypothesis: There is no statistical difference between 1 minute seated cycling and 2
minute seated cycling
Alternative Hypothesis: There is a statistical different between 1 minute seated cycling and 2
minute seated cycling
Method
It is the methodology section which describe the things that researcher has been
chosen in order to meet the define aim and objectives and conduct the study in more precise
manner. For conducting the study in better manner, researcher chooses quantitative research
strategy that helps to generate the best outcome that may not affect the results in negative
manner (Kallo and Rassovsky, 2017).
Participants
416 undergraduate students from the School of Applied Psychology took part in the study as
part of their course requirements. The mean age of the participants was 22.08 years old (M =
22.08, SD = 7.28). These participators are chosen through random sampling method in which
samples help to present their views in order to answer the research questions.
Materials
In order to conduct the research in proper manner, researcher chooses experiment
method in which inverted –U hypothesis is used. In this, cognitive performance was
measured at different point at the time of exercise (Zabriskie and Heath, 2019). Further, t-

Running Head: EXERCISE AND COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE IN A LETTER
DETECTION TASK 5
Test is used in order to conduct the research and generate the best output as well. Also, it help
to determine the significant different between the mean of two groups that is specifically
related to certain features. In order to complete the letter detection task, researcher ask the
questions to their selected employees which in are actually related to the topic and this in turn
help to meet the define aim and objectives in better manner.
Design
For the study, researcher chooses experimental research strategy which in turn help
to determine the correct results. Also, using this methodology, researcher meet the define
aim and come to know the significant difference between the mean value of both variables.
In addition to this, it is also stated that through the study, researcher describe the point of
view of all the selected participants who clearly describe the views which in turn help to
meet the aim.
Procedure
Participants were allocated to one of three groups based on the type of exercise they would
complete in the task. Group 1 (n = 159) completed no exercise, group 2 (n = 130) performed
seated cycling for 1 minute, and group 3 (n = 127) performed seated cycling for 2 minutes.
Participants were instructed to provide correct answers and maintain the dignity. Also, the
selected sample should make sure that they should comply with the data protection act in
order to not share any personal data with anyone else.
Results
The table OR figure below displays the mean scores on the letter detection task for the ‘no
exercise’ group, the ‘1 minute seated cycling’ group and the ‘2 minute seated cycling’ group.

Running Head: EXERCISE AND COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE IN A LETTER
DETECTION TASK 6
No Exercise 1 min Seated Cycling 2 min Seated Cycling
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Duration of exercise
From the above, it is stated that from the above, that no exercise performed worse than 1
minute seated cycling and 2 minute seated cycling. Even the graph is also represented that
the no exercise is perform the worst as compared to other but 1 minute cycling preform the
bets out of all, and it also has the highest value as compared to others.
Table 1:
Means and Standard Deviations Between Exercise Groups and Cognitive Performance
Group n M SD
Mean letter detection scores
Exercise Type

Running Head: EXERCISE AND COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE IN A LETTER
DETECTION TASK 7
1 159 64 6.34
2 130 92 5.537
3 127 76 7.451
An Independent Samples t-test was conducted to compare cognitive performance in the ‘no
exercise’ group with the ‘1 minute seated cycling’ group. Cognitive performance in the ‘1
minute seated cycling’ group was significantly depended than in the ‘no exercise’ group, t
(285) = -3.23, p < 0.00. A second Independent Samples t-test was conducted to compare
cognitive performance in the ‘no exercise’ group and the ‘2 minute seated cycling’ group.
Cognitive performance in the ‘2 minute seated cycling’ group was significantly depended
than in the ‘no exercise’ group, t (285) = -2.98, p <0.002. Lastly, an Independent Samples t-
test was conducted to compare cognitive performance in the ‘2 minute seated cycling’ group
with the ‘1 minute seated cycling’ group. Cognitive performance was significantly dependent
in the ‘2 minute seated cycling group compared to the ‘1 minute seated cycling’ group, t
(256) = -1.71, p < 0.44. Overall, cognitive performance was highest in the 1 Minute cycling
group and lowest in the no exercise group.
Discussion
From the above it is discussed that all the results are sho s the significant relationship
and that is why, alternative hypothesis is accepted by rejecting null hypothesis. Also, this
results and t-Test assist to determine the relationship between these which in turn determine
the actual result for the study. Even the study is also supported the results from Arousal
theory and this shows the relationship between all the variables which are determine under
hypothesis. The biggest limitation of the study is such that all the sample are related to
psychology and as a result, they did not help to determine the exact views. Therefore, it

Running Head: EXERCISE AND COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE IN A LETTER
DETECTION TASK 8
somehow affect the results as well, that is why, there is a need to make changes and in future
select different sample size in order to get better outcomes.
The study is important because it provide the how the human body is completely
dependent upon the exercise and that is why, through the study, it will be easy to determine
the relationship between exercise and cognitive performance. That is why, in future,
correlation test will be used in order to determine the relation between these variables in
better manner.
Thus, from the above study, it is concluded that there is a direct relationship of no
exercise with 1 minute cycling, 2 minute seated cycling which has been determine through t-
Test. Also, through the above, report it has been further analysed that there exercise affect
the cognitive performance of an individual and that is why, there is direct relationship
between these variables. Also, it is also recommended that if the same study will be
conducted in future, then make sure that different stream of students are chosen in order to
get better review.

Running Head: EXERCISE AND COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE IN A LETTER
DETECTION TASK 9
References
Dall’Acqua, T., Li, C., Ceccarini, F., Grigoletto, D., Marcolin, G., Paoli, A., & Castiello, U.
(2018). Exercise-induced arousal affects free-choices to inhibit. Psychology of Sport
and Exercise. 35. 89-97.
Herman, A. M., Critchley, H. D., & Duka, T. (2019). The impact of Yohimbine-induced
arousal on facets of behavioural impulsivity. Psychopharmacology.236(6). 1783-1795.
Kallo, Y., & Rassovsky, Y. (2017). Arousal and vigilance: the effects of physical exercise
and positive mood on attention. Int. J. Sports Exerc. Med. 3(057). 10-23937.
Zabriskie, H. A., & Heath, E. M. (2019). Effectiveness of Studying When Coupled with
Exercise-Induced Arousal. International journal of exercise science. 12(5). 979.