An Examination of the Cross-Sectional Exercise-Cognitive Performance Relationship: The Impact of Individual Difference Variables

Marc R. Lochbaum & Daniel M. Landers

The overall purpose of this cross-sectional investigation was to explain the exercise-cognitive performance relationship by examining potential individual difference variables with well-supported conceptual frameworks.  Exercise training history was chosen based on animal research demonstrating permanent structural changes in the brain due to habitual exercise.  The selection of personality temperaments was strongly guided by Costa and McCrae's five-factor model of personality.  A sample of 53 participants was chosen based on their respective aerobic exercise training histories.  All participants completed the Cultural Fair Intelligence test on three separate days.  Initial analyses revealed habitual exercisers to be greater in openness (p < .05) than habitual nonexercisers.  To determine the importance of exercise status and personality temperaments on cognitive performance, a hierarchical regression analysis was performed with the participants' GPA entered first then exercise status, openness, and extraversion entered via a stepwise method.  The overall model was significant, F(3,48) = 4.44, p = .008, and accounted for 22.0% (R2 = 17.0%) of the variance in cognitive performance.  The final model was comprised of GPA, openness, and exercise status.  Openness uniquely accounted for 16.0%, Fchange (1,49) = 9.34, p = .004, of the variance in cognitive performance, while exercise status uniquely accounted for 5.50%, Fchange (1,49) = 3.40, p = .07, ES = .52, of the variance in cognitive performance.  GPA only accounted for 0.02% of the unique variance in cognitive performance.  Results are discussed with regard to the importance of including personality temperaments when investigating the exercise-cognitive performance relationship.  In addition, future research investigating the relationship between openness and habitual exercise is examined.