Aerobic exercise study reports better cognitive task performance in male adolescents
A randomized study in male adolescents with smartphone addiction reported better attention and working memory task performance in the exercise group, alongside changes in brainwave power.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The abstract reports improved accuracy and faster responses on attention and working memory tasks in the exercise group. Brainwave recordings also changed. These findings concern acute exercise in male adolescents with smartphone addiction; they do not establish lasting cognitive improvement, better everyday functioning or reduced problematic smartphone use.
The sample included only male adolescents. Session length and later follow-up are unreported, and the results section does not clearly distinguish comparisons between groups from changes within the exercise group.
What the study measured
Researchers used attention and working memory tasks to measure accuracy and response speed. They also recorded electrical brain activity, giving them a physiological measure to examine alongside performance on the cognitive tests.
What brainwave changes show
The authors report increased alpha and beta wave power and decreased theta wave power in selected brain regions. These electrical patterns accompany the task results but do not by themselves confirm the proposed mechanism.
The original publication
The bidirectional modulation of acute aerobic exercise on cognitive performance and brain electrical activity in adolescents with smartphone addiction: an experimental study using EEG power spectrum analysis.
Che T, Long Y, Zhang S et al.
Front Public Health · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41822928
- Record checked
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