Exercise & Brainpower: 24-Hour Cognitive Boost
- the cognitive benefits of exercise may extend far beyond the workout itself, according to new research from University College London (UCL).
- The research, published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition adn Physical Activity, tracked 76 adults between 50 and 83 years old.
- Mikaela Bloomberg,lead author from the UCL Institute of epidemiology & Health Care,emphasized that the memory benefits of physical activity may last longer than previously believed."Our findings suggest that...
Boost your brainpower! New research reveals that exercise can enhance memory function for up to 24 hours. This study, published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, highlights how physical activity plays a critically important role in cognitive enhancement, especially when combined with sufficient sleep. Researchers tracked adults aged 50-83, discovering that moderate to vigorous exercise improved their memory test performance the following day. the study also emphasizes the importance of minimizing sedentary time for optimal cognitive health. News Directory 3 keeps you informed on the latest health discoveries. Discover what’s next in the realm of exercise and cognitive function, and how this could shape future research into long-term brain health.
Exercise Boosts Memory for Up to 24 Hours, study Finds
Updated June 16, 2025
the cognitive benefits of exercise may extend far beyond the workout itself, according to new research from University College London (UCL). The study indicates that engaging in physical activity can improve memory function for up to 24 hours, particularly when combined with adequate sleep.
The research, published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition adn Physical Activity, tracked 76 adults between 50 and 83 years old. participants who engaged in more moderate to vigorous physical activity than usual showed improved performance on memory tests the following day.The study also highlighted the importance of sleep; those who got at least six hours of sleep also scored higher on the tests.
Dr. Mikaela Bloomberg,lead author from the UCL Institute of epidemiology & Health Care,emphasized that the memory benefits of physical activity may last longer than previously believed.”Our findings suggest that the short-term memory benefits of physical activity may last longer than previously thought,possibly to the next day instead of just the few hours after exercise. Getting more sleep, particularly deep sleep, seems to add to this memory improvement,” bloomberg said.
The researchers used wrist-worn activity trackers to monitor participants’ activity levels, including time spent sedentary, in light physical activity, and in moderate to vigorous physical activity. They also tracked sleep duration and the amount of time spent in both REM and slow-wave sleep. Slow-wave sleep, characterized by deep, restorative rest, appeared to play a significant role in memory consolidation.
The study considered factors such as average activity and sleep quality to ensure accurate results. The findings revealed that increased moderate or vigorous physical activity correlated with better working memory and episodic memory. Conversely, spending more time sedentary than usual was linked to poorer working memory the next day. The team adjusted for various factors to isolate the impact of exercise and sleep on cognitive performance.
Professor Andrew Steptoe, co-author from UCL, noted the importance of maintaining cognitive function for older adults. “Among older adults, maintaining cognitive function is critically important for good quality of life, wellbeing, and independence. It’s thus helpful to identify factors that can affect cognitive health on a day-to-day basis,” Steptoe said.
While the study focused on a cognitively healthy group, the researchers acknowledge that the results may not apply to individuals with neurocognitive disorders. They also noted that further research with larger sample sizes is needed to confirm these findings.
What’s next
Future studies could explore whether these short-term cognitive boosts from exercise and sleep contribute to long-term cognitive health and possibly reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.