Research has established a relationship between resistance exercise and enhanced processing speed (e.g., Chang et al., 2012), however, the literature has largely focused on using resistance machines (e.g., Chang & Etnier, 2009). Therefore, the present study investigated if an acute bout of body weight and resistance band strength-based exercises compared to aerobic exercise on cognitive processing speed in young adults. Both male (n = 8) and female (n = 7) adults ranging from 20-25 years of age (M = 15) participated in the study. Participants reported to the laboratory for three days of testing (control, an aerobic condition, and a resistance condition), completing a symbol search test to measure cognitive processing speed on each day. For both the aerobic and resistance days, participants engaged in 10 minutes of moderate intensity exercise prior to completing the symbol search test. A one-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed statistically significant differences in processing speed between the control (no exercise) condition and the aerobic exercise condition, and between the control condition and resistance exercise condition. Thus, a short of acute bout of moderate intensity aerobic or body weight resistance exercise has a positive effect on cognitive processing speed in a healthy college-aged population.

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Amber Shipherd

Department of Health and Kinesiology