Cognition, Mood, and Brain Hemodynamics After Interval Stair Climbing: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial in University Students

Abstract Previous research indicates interval stair climbing can provide an easily accessible time-efficient means to boost cognitive performance and mood, effects that could in theory be underpinned by exercise-induced hemodynamic changes in the brain. To test this, we ran a randomized controlled crossover trial investigating cognitive, mood, and hemodynamic effects of interval stair climbing (measured ~ 20 min post-exercise, after applying the brain recording equipment), and probed for evidence that neuropsychological benefits might be mediated by hemodynamic effects. Forty-eight undergraduates ( M = 20.63 years, SD = 3.45, range = 18–36) attended two sessions separated by 7 days, with session order randomized and counterbalanced across participants. For the stair-climbing session, participants completed an interval-exercise protocol that required < 17 min and included six fairly intensive 1-min stair-climbing intervals, before completing a neuropsychological battery, which included three cognitive tests and six visual analogue mood scales, while we recorded hemodynamic changes using near-infrared spectroscopy positioned on the forehead. The control session differed only by the omission of the stair climbing protocol. Relative to the control session, following the stair climbing participants exhibited better cognitive performance (indicated by faster correct response latencies in all three tests); however, no significant hemodynamic effects emerged and we found no evidence of relationships between the hemodynamic and cognitive measures. In addition, we found virtually no evidence of mood benefits ~ 25 min post-exercise, which contrasts with the mood benefits reported when assessed more immediately. These findings suggest that the cognitive benefits following interval stair-climbing are more enduring than mood and hemodynamic benefits and reflect other mechanisms, at least when assessed after a delay. TRN: ACTRN12622000434796, Date of registration: 17/03/2022.