Examining the effects of exercise with different cognitive loads on executive function: A systematic review.

Executive functions (EFs) play a pivotal role in daily functioning, academic and vocational achievement, well-being, and the regulation of cognitive processes that impact the quality of life. Physical exercise has been shown to have positive effects on EFs. However, there remains some controversy regarding whether exercise with greater cognitive loads may be more effective for improving EFs. Through this systematic review, we aimed to synthesize available cross-sectional and longitudinal intervention studies concerning the effects of exercise with varying cognitive loads on EFs. The literature search was conducted across three electronic databases, retrieving cross-sectional and longitudinal intervention (randomized controlled trials) studies, using a standardized EF measurement from inception until June 2023. Our search yielded a total of 1570 potentially relevant articles, of which 53 were considered for full-text reading, and 28 were included in the review after full-text reading. The present study utilized Gentile's (2000) taxonomy classification to determine the cognitive load levels in exercises. Overall, findings from the 28 included studies suggested that exercise training interventions are a promising way to promote overall EF. Noteworthy, there is preliminary empirical evidence to suggest that exercises with higher cognitive loads resulted in greater benefits for EF than those with lower cognitive loads.

Effects of acute slackline exercise on executive function in college students.

Background: Physical exercise as an intervention for improving cognitive function, especially executive function, is receiving increasing attention because it is easily accessible, cost-effective and promises many additional health-related benefits. While previous studies focused on aerobic exercise and resistance exercise, recent findings have suggested that exercise with high coordination demand elicits beneficial effects on executive function. We therefore examined the effects of an acute slackline exercise on the executive functions of young adults. Methods: In a crossover experimental design, 47 healthy participants (21 females), ranging in age from 18 to 27 years (M = 19.17, SD = 1.94) were randomly assigned to different sequences of two conditions (slackline exercise and film-watching). Before and after the 50 min intervention, a modified Simon task was used to assess participants' executive function (inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility). Results: College students showed better inhibitory control performance as indicated by shorter reaction times following acute slackline exercise than those who participated in the film-watching session. As there was no difference in accuracy between the slackline exercise and film-watching sessions, the shortened reaction time after slackline exercise provides evidence against a simple speed-accuracy trade-off. Conclusion: Compared with film-watching, acute slackline exercise provides favorable effects on executive function necessitating inhibition in young adults. These findings provide insight into exercise prescription and cognition, and further evidence for the beneficial effects of coordination exercise on executive functions.

Assisting people with multiple disabilities actively correct abnormal standing posture with a Nintendo Wii balance board through controlling environmental stimulation.

The latest researches adopted software technology turning the Nintendo Wii Balance Board into a high performance change of standing posture (CSP) detector, and assessed whether two persons with multiple disabilities would be able to control environmental stimulation using body swing (changing standing posture). This study extends Wii Balance Board functionality for standing posture correction (i.e., actively adjust abnormal standing posture) to assessed whether two persons with multiple disabilities would be able to actively correct their standing posture by controlling their favorite stimulation on/off using a Wii Balance Board with a newly developed standing posture correcting program (SPCP). The study was performed according to an ABAB design, in which A represented baseline and B represented intervention phases. Data showed that both participants significantly increased time duration of maintaining correct standing posture (TDMCSP) to activate the control system to produce environmental stimulation during the intervention phases. Practical and developmental implications of the findings were discussed.

Assisting people with multiple disabilities improve their computer-pointing efficiency with hand swing through a standard mouse.

This study evaluated whether two people with multiple disabilities would be able to improve their pointing performance using hand swing with a standard mouse through an Extended Dynamic Pointing Assistive Program (EDPAP) and a newly developed mouse driver (i.e., a new mouse driver replaces standard mouse driver, and changes a mouse into a precise two-dimensional motion detector, and intercepts mouse action). Initially, both participants had their baseline sessions. Then intervention started with the first participant. When his performance was consolidated, new baseline and intervention occurred with the second participant. Finally, both participants were exposed to maintenance phase, in which their pointing performance improved significantly. Data indicated that both participants improved their pointing efficiency with the use of EDPAP and remained highly successful through maintenance phase. Implications of the findings are discussed.