Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40824315›Full record

Trial reportExperimental brain research2025

Exercise intensity improves performance on a spatial memory task.

Nicholas P Reinders, Gabriel Massarotto, Melissa Lacasse, Tom J Hazell, Michael E Cinelli

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in Experimental brain research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Optimal type and dose of exercise to improve cognitive function in healthy and pre-sarcopenic older adults: a bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.European review of aging and physical activity : official journal of the European Group for Research into Elderly and Physical Activity · 2026
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Nicholas P ReindersDepartment of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Ave, W., Waterloo, ON, Canada.
Gabriel MassarottoDepartment of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Ave, W., Waterloo, ON, Canada.
Melissa LacasseDepartment of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Ave, W., Waterloo, ON, Canada.
Tom J HazellDepartment of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Ave, W., Waterloo, ON, Canada.
Michael E CinelliDepartment of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Ave, W., Waterloo, ON, Canada. mcinelli@wlu.ca.

Funding

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada 2019-05894
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Previous research suggests exercise improves spatial navigation abilities, though the effects of different exercise intensities on this cognitive function have not been explored. The current study assessed the influence of moderate-intensity and high-intensity acute exercise on spatial learning and memory, focusing on the acquisition of survey and route knowledge in young adults. Thirty-two participants (22.6 ± 1.7 y) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) no-exercise control (n = 10); (2) moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT; 30 min at 75% maximal heart rate) (n = 12); (3) sprint interval training (SIT; 4 × 30 s all-out interspersed with 4 min recovery) (n = 10). Spatial navigation abilities were assessed using a virtual reality (VR) maze with evaluations at three time points: pre-exercise (TP1), immediately post-exercise (TP2), and 48 h post-exercise (TP3). Angular error (AE) was the primary measure of navigation accuracy. Both MICT and SIT groups exhibited improvements in spatial memory indicated by reductions in AE from TP1 to TP3 (p < 0.001) though the SIT group showed a greater reduction in AE compared to the MICT group (p = 0.039), suggesting a more pronounced benefit from higher-intensity exercise. The control group, however, showed no significant change in AE (p = 0.869), indicating no improvement in spatial memory without exercise intervention. The findings suggest that acute exercise, particularly at higher intensities, enhances spatial memory alongside with learning. It is possible that exercise can be used as a intervention to enhance cognitive functions, particularly spatial navigation.

Indexed as

ExercisePsychomotor PerformanceSpatial MemorySpatial NavigationFemaleHumansMaleMaze LearningVirtual RealityYoung AdultExercise spatial navigationLearningMazeModerate intensity continuous trainingSpatial memorySprint interval trainingVirtual reality

Identifiers

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.