How does exercise cause cognitive improvements? An examination of underlying mechanisms, mediators, and implications for public health communications.

The benefits of regular exercise are well established in the literature and are encouraged in government policies.
Exercise is also regularly prescribed to the general population in public health campaigns where the physical,
rather than cognitive, health benefits of exercise are emphasised. However, from a psychological perspective,
research has shown exercise improves cognitive function, and can be utilised in the treatment of some
neurodegenerative diseases. The cognitive benefits may be partially downplayed because of the lack of scientific
knowledge on the underlying mechanisms that explain exercise mediated cognitive improvements or its mediating
variables. These questions are being explored at the University of Portsmouth, with a recent study identifying two
possible explanations for how exercise affects cognition: (1) exercise exerts a direct positive effect on cognition, or,
(2) exercise ameliorates any ongoing negative effects on cognition due to other factors, such as sleep deprivation.
Answering this initial question will lay the groundwork for future research into the mechanisms underlying the
exercise-cognition relationship. This is necessary in order to provide greater clarity in future policies and public
communications regarding the benefits and uses of exercise. Therefore, this PhD will endeavour to develop and
pilot test a scientific framework to study the effects of exercise on cognition, by examining the neurological
electrical activity of participants who have undergone various levels of exercise and sleep deprivation. In the long
term, the resulting research methodologies may be used in later studies that positively impact social policies on the
benefits of exercise for cognitive health.