Are you a student looking for an extra edge when taking an exam? Hoping to find an honest and effective way to increase your exam score?
If the answer is yes, listen - new research published in the Journal of the International Society of Neuropsychology suggests that doing 30 minutes of an ECG before taking a test can be very helpful.
In this study, researchers at the University of Maryland University of Public Health used magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to monitor brain activity in participants aged 55-85 years.
As part of the study, researchers asked participants to perform various memory tasks, including identifying famous name's on two separate days.
That's where the ECG comes in.
On the first day of the experiment, participants were asked to hop on a stationary bicycle and perform 30 minutes of moderate exercise. They then underwent a fMRI brain scan while taking the Famous and Non-Famous Name Discrimination Task.
On the second day of the evaluation, participants had it easier. All they had to do was sit in a waiting room in a laboratory and relax. After that, they took the memory test while going for the brain scan.
Research results
What the researchers discovered was unusual. They found that participants who did a 30-minute ECG just before the memory test recalled significantly more names than the waiting room group.
In addition, the results of fMRI scans showed an increase in activity around the brain area called the hippocampus for the ECG.
It's a bit of a big deal because the hippocampus is thought to be mostly responsible for memory.
Here is what Carson Smith, the lead author of the study, said in a statement on the findings:
"Just as a muscle adapts to repeated use, individual exercises can bend the cognitive neural network in a way that promotes adaptation over time and lends itself to increased network integrity and functionality and allows more efficient access to memories," Smith said.
Handsome Man
The authors of the study wrote the following in the results of their research: In addition to our previous exercise effects on semantic stimulation, these data suggest that an acute increase in postoperative neuropathy may provide an incentive to adapt to repetitive exercises.
As a college professor who teaches psychology and business studies, I can tell you that I'm always looking for ways to help my students get better grades in exams.
Related: Why listening to music increases your mood
Based on the research published, I will probably encourage my students to practice less and exercise more during the exam - especially in the 30 minutes that follow the exam.
The experiment, conducted by researchers at the University of Maryland, involved the use of a stationary wheel. But I wonder if jumping on a real bike or simply going for a light run could yield similar results?
According to the study, participants did a moderate cardio as recommended VO2 peak. It is easy to imagine repeating "moderate" efforts with other types of cardio, such as a stair walker, a rowing machine, or a treadmill.
Anyway, there you have it, folks. Thirty minutes of cardio before taking an exam can offer the boost you need in exams.
Are you preparing for an exam? If so, would you consider exercising for your exam?
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