Bruna Tarasuk Trein Crespo (Uruguaiana / BR), Ana Luiza Trombini Tadielo (Uruguaiana / BR), Dr. Marcelo Gomes de Gomes (Uruguaiana / BR), Dr. Andresa M. C. Germano (Chemnitz), Prof. Dr. Pâmela Billig Mello-Carpes (Chemnitz; Uruguaiana / BR)
Abstract-Text (inkl. Referenzen und Bildunterschriften)
Introduction: The learning process requires information acquisition and consolidation, processes that are mediated by neural changes. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that a single physical exercise session can modulate consolidation, involving mechanisms such as increased noradrenergic activity [1].
Goals: This study aims to evaluate the effects of a single aerobic exercise session on learning of a school content.
Materials & Methods: Students in the 8th year of an Elementary Brazilian Public School were divided into Control (CT; n=26) and Physical Exercise Group (PE; n = 26). After a class addressing cell biology content, the students in the PE group ran for 30 minutes at moderate intensity, controlled by the Borg Effort Scale and heart rate. Immediately after exercise, saliva was collected to measure salivary α-amylase levels, an indirect measure of noradrenergic activation. Knowledge tests to assess the students' learning of class content were performed 3h, 24h, and 7 days after the students attended the class. The tests were divided into easy, intermediate, and difficult questions. Saliva was also collected at the same times.
Results: In the 24h test, the number of correct answers of the PE group was higher than those in the CT group on easy (P = 0.028) and difficult (p= 0.0026) questions (Fig 1). No difference between the groups was found in the tests carried out 3h and 7 days after the class. An increase in salivary α-amylase levels was verified in the PE group 3h (p = 0.026) and 24h (p = 0.009) collections (Fig 2).
Summary: We confirmed that as in animal models [1], physical exercise can modulate learning, resulting in improved memory. Furthermore, a single physical exercise session can modulate noradrenergic activity, altering the salivary alpha-amylase levels until 24h after the exercise. We highlight that these data are preliminary, and the sample number is being expanded.
[1] Vargas et al., Behav Brain Res, 30:329, 120-6 (2017).