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Physical inactivity is now widespread across all age groups, yet exercise is known to benefit physical, mental, and cognitive health. Building on this, the present study investigated whether a single bout of walking before a learning task improves outcomes. Results show that walking improves vocabulary retention and significantly increases positive affect. These findings suggest that integrating physical activity into educational contexts may support both student well-being and academic performance.
Abstract
Sedentary behavior has become a widespread problem across all age groups, promoted by modern lifestyles and reinforced in schools where much of the class day is spent sitting. In contrast, it is well established that physical activity (PA) reduces all-cause mortality, improves cardiovascular health, lowers cancer risk, reduces depression, and enhances well-being (Löllgen et al., 2009; Penedo & Dahn, 2005). More recently, research has highlighted cognitive benefits of PA, including improving working memory, cognitive flexibility, creativity, and attention (Birdsell, 2023; Kawashima et al., 2024; Ludyga et al., 2016). This study contributes to this growing field. The purpose was to test whether a single bout of exercise before a learning intervention improved learning. A between-subject design was conducted with Japanese university students studying English as a foreign language. All participants completed a pre-PANAS questionnaire measuring affect. One group then walked on a treadmill for 20-minutes, while the other group sat and read. Afterwards, both groups completed a post-PANAS and then learned a set of multi-word expressions (e.g., feel under the weather). Immediate and delayed post-tests were used to assess retention. A mixed-design ANOVA was used with one between-subjects factor (Condition: walking vs. sitting) and one within-subjects factor (Time: post-test vs. delayed test). Results show that walking before learning enhances vocabulary retention and significantly increases positive affect. These findings indicate that exercise before learning may provide both cognitive and emotional benefits. Educational institutions should consider integrating more opportunities for physical activity to support not only health and well-being but also learning.
Short summary
Sedentary behavior has increasingly become prevalent across all age groups, whereas physical activity offers physical, mental, and cognitive benefits. Extending prior research, this study examined whether a single bout of exercise before learning enhances learning outcomes. Results indicate that walking improves vocabulary retention and significantly increases positive affect. These findings suggest that integrating physical activity into educational contexts may support both student well-being and learning.
References
Birdsell, B. J. (2023). Exercising before Learning Enhances Long-Term Memory for Foreign Language Vocabulary and Improves Mood. Journal for the Psychology of Language Learning, 5(1), e5112123. https://doi.org/10.52598/jpll/5/1/3
Kawashima, C., Chen, C., Hagiwara, K., Mizumoto, T., Watarai, M., Koga, T., ... & Nakagawa, S. (2024). Evaluating the impact of a short bout of stair-climbing on creative thinking in a between-subjects pretest posttest comparison study. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 176.
Löllgen, H., Böckenhoff, A., & Knapp, G. (2009). Physical activity and all-cause mortality: an updated meta-analysis with different intensity categories. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 30(03), 213-224. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0028-1128150
Ludyga, S., Gerber, M., Brand, S., Holsboer-Trachsler, E., Pühse, U., 2016. Acute effects of moderate aerobic exercise on specific aspects of executive function in different age and fitness groups: a meta-analysisv. Psychophysiology 53(11), 1611-1626. https://doi.org/10.1111/psyp.12736
Penedo, F. J., & Dahn, J. R. (2005). Exercise and well-being: a review of mental and physical health benefits associated with physical activity. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 18(2), 189-193. https://doi.org/10.1097/00001504-200503000-00013
| Scheduling preference | Anytime on Saturday |
|---|---|
| Title | Physical activity prior to learning improves vocabulary retention and mood |