New groundbreaking research from the University of Portsmouth has shown that moderate exercise can significantly enhance cognitive performance (CP), even in conditions of sleep deprivation and low oxygen levels. The study, involving two experiments with a total of 24 participants, demonstrated that a 20-minute cycling session improved CP, regardless of the participants’ sleep status or oxygen levels. These findings add to the understanding of how physical activity can help mitigate the cognitive deficits caused by common stressors.
The study revealed that moderate intensity exercise improved CP even after full or partial sleep deprivation and in hypoxic conditions. In the first experiment, participants with limited sleep showed inconsistent CP at rest but improved performance post-exercise. Similarly, in the second experiment, even after an entire night without sleep and reduced oxygen levels, participants’ CP improved after exercising.
Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to several health consequences, including cardiovascular disease, obesity, neurodegenerative disorders, and depression. In the short term, insufficient sleep can reduce cognitive performance, affecting attention span, judgment, and emotional states.
Dr Joe Costello from the University’s School of Sport, Health & Exercise Science stated, “We know from existing research that exercise improves or maintains our cognitive performance, even when oxygen levels are reduced. But this is the first study to suggest it also improves CP after both full and partial sleep deprivation, and when combined with hypoxia. The findings add significantly to what we know about the relationship between exercise and these stressors and help to reinforce the message that movement is medicine for the body and the brain.”
One potential explanation for why exercise improves cognitive performance under such stressors is related to changes in cerebral blood flow and oxygenation. The study recommends further research into the neurobiological mechanisms behind the cognitive function process, to better support individuals who experience broken sleep or low oxygen levels.
This study was a collaboration between the University of Portsmouth, University of Chichester, University of Surrey, Teesside University, The University of Electro-Communications in Tokyo, Japan, and Sao Paulo State University in Brazil. Further investigations are planned to explore the relationship between cognitive performance and stressors in a broader mix of participants.
