Physical Activity, Fitness, and Cognition: Insights from Neuroelectric Studies

Over the last decade and a half, an increasing number of empirical studies have identified a positive relationship, across the human lifespan, between physical activity and fitness, on the one hand, and cognitive functioning on the other. Neuroelectric studies using electroencephalogram (EEG), specifically an event-related brain potential (ERP) methodology, have played a key role in the development of this research field. Here, I review such neuroelectric studies. The P3 component, contingent negative variation (CNV), and error-related negativity (ERN) have often been emphasized in this area of research. This chapter starts with an overview of such ERP studies, and then reviews recent neuroelectric studies using other ERP components and EEG techniques. Findings from these studies demonstrate that the neuroelectric measures, coupled with behavioral task performance, can provide a deeper understanding of the relationship between physical activity/fitness and cognitive functioning.