Copyright (c) PNG Publications. All rights reserved. Delivered by Ingenta to IP: 81.22.47.235 on: Wed, 08 Jul 2020 04:29:54 326 S ustained attention is critical for various activi- ties of daily living, such as proper encoding of incoming information, whether it be from driving a vehicle to verbal interactions with other individuals. As we have demonstrated elsewhere, sustained attention is associated with enhanced memory performance, whereas divided attention is associated with impaired memory performance. 1 Sustained attention to response tasks (SART) in- cludes common assessments of sustained attention function. During these assessments, participants are asked to respond (via keyboard presses) to some tri- als, while inhibiting responses on other target trails. Previous work demonstrates that functional connec- tivity with the default mode network (DMN) serves as a predictor of sustained attention. 2,3 Core hubs of the DMN include the medial prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate cortex and precuneus, angular gyrus, and the medial temporal lobe. Tese brain structures, particularly the medial prefrontal cortex and medial temporal lobe, play a critical role in sub- serving episodic memory function. 4,5 Notably, acute exercise (eg, cycling or treadmill exercise for a short period, such as 15-20 minutes) has been shown to Audreaiona Waters, Myungjin Jung, and Paul Loprinzi, University of Mississippi, Exercise & Memory Laboratory, Department of Health, Exercise Sci- ence and Recreation Management, University, MS. Liye Zou, Qian Yu, and Jingyuan Lin, Shenzhen University, School of Psychology, Exercise and Men- tal Health Laboratory, Shenzhen, China. Shijie Liu, School of Physical Education and Sport Training, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China. Correspondence Dr Loprinzi; pdloprin@olemiss.edu and Dr Zou; LiyeZou123@gmail.com Acute Exercise and Sustained Attention on Memory Function Audreaiona Waters, BS Liye Zou, PhD Myungjin Jung, MS Qian Yu, MS Jingyuan Lin, MS Shijie Liu, MS Paul D. Loprinzi, PhD Objective: Sustained attention is critical for various activities of daily living, including engaging in health-enhancing behaviors and inhibition of health compromising behaviors. Sustained at- tention activates neural networks involved in episodic memory function, a critical cognition for healthy living. Acute exercise has been shown to activate these same neural networks. Thus, it is plausible that engaging in a sustained attention task and engaging in a bout of acute exercise may have an additive efect in enhancing memory function, which was the purpose of this ex- periment. Methods: 23 young adults (M age = 20.7 years) completed 2 visits, with each visit occur- ring approximately 24 hours apart, in a counterbalanced order, including: (1) acute exercise with sustained attention, and (2) sustained attention only. Memory was assessed using a word-list paradigm and included a short- and long-term memory assessment. Sustained attention was induced via a sustained attention to response task (SART). Acute exercise involved a 15-minute bout of moderate-intensity exercise. Results: Short-term memory performance was signifcantly greater than long-term memory, M dif = 1.86, p < .001, and short-term memory for Exercise with Sustained Attention was signifcantly greater than short-term memory for Sustained Attention Only, M dif = 1.50, p = .01. Conclusion: Engaging in an acute bout of exercise before a sustained attention task additively infuenced short-term memory function. Key words: cognition; memory; physical activity; psychological attention Am J Health Behav.™ 2020;44(3):326-332 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5993/AJHB.44.3.5