Brawn and Brainpower: Acute Resistance Exercise Improves Behavioral and Neuroelectric Measures of Executive Function.

ABSTRACT: Acute resistance exercise (RE) is emerging as a promising strategy to improve executive function, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, 121 participants (aged 18-50) were randomly assigned to either a moderate-intensity RE or rest intervention using a between-subjects design. We examined the effects of acute RE on behavioral and neuroelectric measures of executive function during a modified Flanker task and an N-back task, and collected lactate and blood pressure to explore possible physiological mechanisms. Results showed that following acute RE, blood lactate (d = 2.06) and systolic blood pressure (d = 0.99) significantly increased. Improvements in executive function were similarly observed following acute RE, including faster processing speed during inhibitory con

SUBMITTER: Baumgartner NW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12575885 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature