This study aims to investigate the impact of exercise intensity on short-term memory. It will test the memory of 100 participants between ages 18-55 using the Memory Assessment Scales, both before and after periods of high-intensity and low-intensity exercise. The participants will be divided into three groups: those who do not regularly exercise aged 18-25, those who do not regularly exercise aged 45-55, and a control group who exercise regularly. It is hypothesized that individuals who exercise regularly will have better short-term memory than those who do not exercise regularly.

1. Exercise Intensity Impacts Short-Term Memory
Allison Bader, Victoria Casani, Elizabeth Gillett, Christina Machado, and Dr. Usha Sankar
Human Physiology BISC 3132, Fordham University, Bronx, NY
Background:
As we age,
the size of our hippocampus, which controls
memory and learning, shrinks. Studies have found that
exercise negated the natural shrinking of the hippocampus,
therefore protecting the individual from short-term memory
loss (Alves, 2011). This has been demonstrated in studies of
gerbils, where exercise was shown to suppress ischemia-
induced apoptotic neuronal cell death in the denate gyrus of
the hippocampus (Kim et al. 2004). Although exercise of
any kind is found to have a positive affect on short-term
memory, research points to a link between the intensity of
aerobic exercise and its effects on short-term memory (Ellis
et al. 1986). In addition, initial fitness level and age are
significant factors that affect memory improvement
(Blumenthal et al. 1988). Exercise has been shown to
initiate growth factor cascades which affect structural and
functional changes in the hippocampus, particularly
increasing synaptic plasticity (Berchtold et al. 2007). If
exercise intensity or duration increases, the debilitating
effects of muscular fatigue may cancel the facilitative
effects of exercise. An optimal level of aerobic exercise will
increase blood circulation, nutrient delivery, and oxygen
delivery to the brain, creating greater neural plasticity and
enlargement of the hippocampus, a better cognitive
performance, and an improved short-term memory.
Aims:
This study aims to investigate the impact of exercise on short-
term memory by using memory tests from the Memory
Assessment Scales.
Data Results:
Scores will be tabulated for each of the tests, and statistical
significance calculations will be made. Numerous
comparisons can then be made, such as between
(1) the pre-exercise state and the post-exercise state between
age groups
(2) the pre-exercise state and the post-exercise state within
an age group
(3) the pre-exercise state and the post-exercise state between
the control and the experimental groups,
(4) between the post-high intensity and post-low intensity
exercise within an age group,
(5) between the post-high intensity and post-low intensity
exercise between age groups, and
(6) between the post-high intensity and post-low intensity
exercise between the control and experimental groups.
Experiment:
This experiment will utilize memory tests from the
Memory Assessment Scales developed between 1981-1990.
Each group will be asked to complete the tests under 3
conditions: (1) while seated and relaxed prior to exercise,
(2) after exercising at 75-80% intensity for 20 minutes, and
(3) after exercising at 40-45% intensity for 20 minutes.
The following short-term memory tests will be utilized:
1. List Learning.
2. Visual Span.
3. Names-Faces.
Hypothesis:
Individuals who exercise have better short- term memory
capabilities than those who do not.
Methods:
Each person in this study will be assessed for pre-
existing conditions that may interfere with their ability
to perform strenuous exercise. 3 groups of people will
be used:
1. 50 people (25 female and 25 male) between ages
18-25 who do not exercise regularly.
2. 50 people (25 female and 25 male) between ages
45-55 who do not exercise regularly.
3. 50 people (25 female and 25 male) who exercise
regularly (3-5 times per week). This group is the
control.
Literature Cited:
Alves, Heloisa, Chandramallika Basak, Laura Chaddock, Kirk I. Erickson, Susie Heo, Jennifer S. Kim, Arthur F. Kramer, Stephen A. Martin, Edward McAuley, Brandt D. Pence, Ruchika Shaurya Prakash, Amanda Szabo,
Victoria J. Vieira, Michelle W. Voss, Jeffrey A. Woods. “Exercise Training Increases Size of Hippocampus and Improves Memory.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Vol. 108. February 2011. 3017-3022.
Berchtold, Nicole C., Lori-Ann Christie, and Carl W. Cotman. “Exercise Builds Brain Health: Key Role of Growth Factor Cascades and Inflammation.” Trends in Neuroscience. Vol. 30 (9). Sept 2007. 464-472.
Blumenthal, James A. and David J. Madden. “Effects of Aerobic Exercise Training, Age, and Physical Fitness on Memory-Search Performance.” Psychology and Aging. Vol. 3 (3). Sept 1988. 280-285. Ellis, Norman R. and Phillip D. Tomporowski. “Effects of Exercise on Cognitive Processes: A
Review.” Psychological Bulletin. Vol. 99 (3). May 1986. 338-346.
Kim, Chang-Ju, Jee-Youn Kim, Sung-Soo Kim, Mal-Soon Shin, and Young-Je Sim. “Treadmill Exercise Improves Short-Term Memory by Suppressing Ischemia-Induced Apoptosis of Neuronal Cells in Gerbils.” Neuroscience Letters. Vol. 372 (3). Dec 2004. 256-261.
Exercise training improves size of
hippocampus
A and B Scatterplots show the percent change in left and right hippocampus volume
with increase in aerobic fitness level. C and D Scatterplots show percent of change in
left and right hippocampus volume with an increase in BDNF levels. E and F
Scatterplots show percent change in left and right hippocampus increase in memory
performance.
Proceedings
of
the
Na1onal
Academy
of
Sciences
of
the
United
Sates
of
America,
2011.
clker.com,
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clker.com,
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