If you’ve ever felt increased clarity or a strange creative surge after a workout, it’s no coincidence. A recent study from University College London (UCL) has just confirmed that the cognitive stimulation we feel after a workout is not only real, but can last up to 24 hours. This discovery could change our approach to physical activity and its impact on our brain.
The research, published inInternational Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activityanalyzed data from 76 participants aged 50 to 83. For eight days, these volunteers wore activity trackers and performed daily cognitive tests. The results are clear: those who increased their level of activity, whether moderate or intense, obtained better results on tests of working memory and episodic memory (of events) the following day.
“Our results suggest that the benefits of physical activity on short-term memory may last longer than previously thought, perhaps until the next day, rather than just a few hours after exercise,” explains the lead author Mikaela Bloomberg, PhD, who also emphasizes that there is no need to adopt complex routines. “Moderate or vigorous activity means anything that increases the heart rate, whether it’s walking briskly, dancing, or walking up a few flights of stairs. It’s not necessarily structured training.”
The role of sleep
The study also highlights the importance of quality sleep. Sleeping more than six hours and achieving deep sleep characterized by slow waves contributes significantly to better memory and is also linked to psychomotor speed (which measures how quickly a person perceives and responds to the environment). “Deep sleep appears to play a key role in consolidating the cognitive benefits of exercise,” continues Mikaela Bloomberg. Conversely, staying sedentary longer than usual was associated with poorer working memory. It is essential to combine physical activity with sleep habits.
The cognitive benefits of exercise are immediate.
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Neurochemical benefits
Physical activity not only increases blood flow to the brain, it also stimulates the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine, which are essential for cognitive functions. While these effects are known to last only a few hours, this study indicates that other exercise-induced brain states may be longer lasting. Indeed, previous research has already shown increased synchronized activity in the hippocampus, a key memory region, up to 48 hours after high-intensity exercise.
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