Citation

Dechovitz AB, Schutz RK, Sadosky TL. Proc. Hum. Factors Ergon. Soc. Annu. Meet. 1974; 18(4): 476-479.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1974, Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/154193127401800421

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A study which investigates how cognitive performance is affected by simultaneous, physical exercise is reported. Whole body exercise on a bicycle ergometer at four work loads (30, 60, 120 and 180 watts) and four rates (30, 40, 60 and 90 rpm) for durations of from 5 to 25 minutes were investigated. A two-stage choice reaction time task was performed at one minute intervals prior to, during and after exercise. Psychomotor performance was measured by reaction time and error rate. Although the subjects were fully trained, very pronounced subject differences were noted. The psychomotor response did not vary with work load (watts) or work rate (rpm), and in addition, was not related to the physiological measurements recorded for heart rate and oxygen consumption. Nominal differences in reaction time and error rate were detected during and after exercise; but it was concluded that physical exercise, even if strenuous, does not cause a modification in cognitive performance of practical significance.

Language: en