Infographic. Sharpen your brainpower in minutes with exercise: a synthesis of the first meta-review on acute exercise and cognition

Abstract

Cognitive function, encompassing essential processes such as perception, attention, memory, language, thinking and executive function, is fundamental to daily life. It drives individual development by enhancing academic achievement and mitigating cognitive decline,1 while also fueling societal progress through improvements in education, productivity and economic outcomes.2 Even transient cognitive enhancement may offer practical benefits in a variety of daily activities such as students experiencing improved learning after active breaks, professionals gaining enhanced decision-making capabilities throughout the workday, and older adults achieving better recall for daily tasks. Given its profound impact on both personal and collective success, advancing cognitive health remains a critical priority for promoting well-being and fostering overall quality of life across the lifespan. Acute exercise, characterised by …