Impact of Short-Duration Aerobic Exercise Intensity on Executive Function and Sleep

TL;DR

This paper investigates how sleep quality and short-duration aerobic exercise intensity influence executive function using lifelog data from a smartwatch-based dataset. Through a controlled, repeated-measures design with baseline and three intensity levels across sleep conditions, the study employs multivariate ANOVA to examine inhibitory control, updating, and shifting, reporting intensity-driven improvements across EF components and generally no gender differences. The findings support a dose-responsive effect of exercise on EF, with moderate-to-high intensity improving inhibition and shifting, and low-to-high intensities benefiting updating, particularly under better sleep. The work highlights the potential of integrated wearables and lifelog data to guide personalized exercise prescriptions aimed at optimizing cognitive performance and emotional well-being, while outlining methodological limitations and avenues for future research.

Abstract

IoT-based devices and wearable sensors are now common in daily life, with smartwatches, smartphones, and other digital tools tracking physical activity and health data. This lifelogging process provides valuable insights into people's lives. This paper analyzes a publicly available lifelog dataset of 14 individuals to explore how exercise affects mood and, in turn, executive function. Results show that moderate physical activity significantly improves mood, reduces stress, and enhances cognitive functions like decision-making and focus. Improved mood not only boosts exercise performance but also strengthens executive function, suggesting exercise benefits both emotional and cognitive well-being. This opens the door for personalized exercise plans tailored to emotional states to optimize brain function.

Figures (3)

• Figure 1: Local Self-Attention Block
• Figure 2: Local Self-Attention Block
• Figure 3: Local Self-Attention Block