Comparison of an Acute Bout of Exercise to a Sugary Snack on Energy, Mood and Cognitive Performance

<p>Low perceived energy and a decline in cognitive performance throughout the day are common issues, though exercise and food consumption are suggested to improve mood and cognition. The present study compares effects of acute exercise to consuming sugar on mood, energy, and cognitive performance. Subjects underwent blood glucose testing, completed an Abbreviated Profile of Mood States Questionnaire, and Automated Operation Span (OSPAN) and Digit Span tests to measure memory and attention. On two separate days subjects consumed candy or walked on a treadmill for 10 minutes, then measurements were repeated at 30-min, 60-min, and 120-min post. Two-way ANOVA over time revealed significant condition over time effects for the maximum digits on the forward digit span (<em>p</em>=0.034) and number of correct spans in the backward digit span (<em>p</em>=0.023). There were no significant differences for OSPAN performance, mood or perceived energy (<em>p</em>>0.05). This study indicates that though exercise and sugar have limited differences in their effects there is a need for greater research in this area. </p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science - Kinesiology

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Kinesiology and Health Science

Year dc:date.available

2019

Author dc:creator

• Knowles, Erica

Contributors dc:contributor

• Malcom T. Whitehead, Ph.D.
• Dustin Joubert, Ph.D.
• DawnElla Rust, Ed.D.

• energy
• mood
• cognition
• sugar
• exercise
• walking
• Exercise Science
• Kinesiology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/264

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.sfasu.edu:etds-1280