The effect of acute aerobic activity on spatial learning in rats
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Nassour Ahmadi * , Nasser Naghdi , Behrouz Abdoli , Samira Choopani |
Department of Motor Behavior, Sport Sciences Faculty, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran |
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Abstract: (14977 Views) |
Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of acute aerobic activity on spatial learning and memory in rats.
Methods: Thirty six healthy male rats were randomly assigned to one of three groups: physical activity, sham, and control. Physical activity group ran 50 minutes daily for two weeks on treadmill. Escape latency, distance moved and time spent in the target zone were measured to assess spatial learning and memory.
Results: No significant differences were found between three groups in the acquisition phase (p > 0.05) but the physical activity group performed better than the sham and control groups in probe test (p = 0.003). In recall test, the physical activity group performed better than the sham and control groups in both distance moved (p = 0.004) and time spent in the target zone (p = 0.01).
Conclusion: Results showed that acute aerobic activity improves spatial learning in rats. It seems that cardiovascular fitness obtained by aerobic activity is a physiological mediator that explains the relationship between physical activity and improved cognitive performance.
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Keywords: Activity, Cognitive, Exercise, Function, Learning |
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Full-Text [PDF 897 kb]
(2440 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Original Research |
Subject:
Neuroscience
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