Exercise first: Acute aerobic exercise before practice selectively enhances spatial outcomes of motor learning - A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Nesrine Harroum, Amanda O'Farrell, Layale Youssef
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In 30 seconds
This pre-registered systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis examined whether acute aerobic exercise (AAE), performed before or after motor-task practice, differentially affects spatial and temporal motor-learning outcomes. Across 18 studies involving 657 participants, AAE before practice was associated with improved spatial outcomes (Hedges’ g = 0.30, 95%CI [0.14; 0.47], p = 0.0003), while temporal outcomes showed no significant change (g = 0.01, 95%CI [-0.15; 0.17], p = 0.911). Meta-regression found that high-intensity AAE moderated the spatial effect (g = 0.48, 95% CI [0.28; 0.69], p < 0.001).
Key findings
- AAE before practice improved spatial motor-learning outcomes (g = 0.30, 95%CI [0.14; 0.47], p = 0.0003).
- Temporal outcomes did not change significantly after AAE (g = 0.01, 95%CI [-0.15; 0.17], p = 0.911).
- High AAE intensity significantly moderated the spatial effect (g = 0.48, 95% CI [0.28; 0.69], p < 0.001).
Why it matters
Motor learning includes distinct spatial and temporal components, and this synthesis suggests they may respond differently to exercise. The distinction is relevant when evaluating training or rehabilitation outcomes: an intervention associated with better spatial precision may not improve timing. Separating these outcomes can therefore help clarify which aspects of motor learning are affected by exercise.
What to keep in mind
The findings synthesize 18 studies, and the abstract does not report whether exercise timing or intensity effects were supported by comparable evidence across studies.