ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on studies performed with children, adolescents and young adults using neurophysiological methods, such as, electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The relationship between acute exercise and cognition has been investigated with various physical intervention methods, sample characteristics, cognitive assessments and time points of measurement. Most studies have been performed on cardiovascular exercise, recent research has revealed that in healthy young adults also an acute bout of resistance exercise facilitated cognitive functioning. Several studies applied neurophysiological methods, predominantly EEG, during or after an acute bout of exercise to understand better underlying brain processes. When measuring effects of acute exercise on motor performance, the performance or adaptation of a motor task was measured directly after exercise. Motor coordination measured after an exercise intervention or via motor fitness level is also positively associated with cognitive function. In elementary school-aged children, motor fitness levels have been positively related to complex executive control tasks and academic achievement.
