In this latest video from MedCram, Dr.Seheult reviews a study that discusses benefits of outdoor physical activities. Exercise has long been recognized for its benefits on both the body and the mind. But recent research suggests that where you exercise—indoors versus outdoors—may influence the cognitive benefits you receive. A recent study published in Physiology & Behavior examined whether outdoor physical activity is more beneficial for cognition in young people than indoor activity, and the results are compelling.
Physical Activity in children and cognition
This study focused on children aged 11 to 13, using a crossover design in which each participant acted as their own control. The researchers conducted 30-minute basketball sessions, both indoors and outdoors, separated by at least seven days to ensure a proper washout period. Each session included a five-minute warm-up, a 10-minute small-sided match, and a cool-down period. Cognitive performance was measured before, immediately after, and 45 minutes after each session using standardized tests that assess inhibitory control, working memory, and attention.
The results were striking. Inhibitory control, measured with the Stroop test, showed significant improvement outdoors. While simple Stroop tests revealed minor differences, the complex Stroop tasks demonstrated a clear advantage for outdoor exercise. Participants not only responded faster but also with greater accuracy 45 minutes after exercising outside compared to indoors. This suggests that outdoor exercise can produce a sustained cognitive benefit, particularly for tasks requiring more mental effort.
Working memory, assessed via the Sternberg task, also benefited from outdoor activity. For low and moderate working memory loads, response times were faster after outdoor sessions, while indoor exercise sometimes showed slower processing. Interestingly, the highest working memory load did not show a significant difference, which may indicate that the acute effect of exercise is less pronounced for very demanding cognitive tasks. Importantly, accuracy remained stable, suggesting that the improvements were genuine enhancements in cognitive processing rather than trade-offs between speed and correctness.
Attention, evaluated using the Flanker test, further supported the benefits of outdoor exercise. Participants demonstrated better reaction times and preserved accuracy in outdoor conditions, especially in easier, congruent attention trials. More challenging, incongruent trials showed trends toward improvement outdoors, although the results did not reach statistical significance. Still, the overall pattern points to enhanced attentional efficiency with exposure to outdoor environments.
The mechanisms behind these effects are not fully understood, but sunlight may play a critical role. Prior research from Glen Jeffery’s laboratory has shown that longer-wavelength sunlight can penetrate the human body and impact mitochondrial function, improving energy availability at a cellular level. These effects may extend beyond the tissues directly exposed to sunlight, influencing overall cognitive function. The combination of physical activity and natural light exposure could therefore produce synergistic benefits for brain function.
Bottom line
In practical terms, these findings suggest that while exercising indoors is better than not exercising at all, taking your workouts outside may provide additional cognitive benefits. Outdoor aerobic exercise offers the advantages of fresh air, natural light, and infrared exposure, all of which may contribute to improved inhibitory control, working memory, and attention.
For educators, parents, and anyone interested in cognitive health, these results highlight the importance of integrating outdoor activity into daily routines. Even a relatively short 30-minute session can make a measurable difference in cognitive performance, with effects lasting at least 45 minutes post-exercise.
At MedCram, we continue to explore how lifestyle factors, like exercise and sunlight exposure, influence human health. By understanding how these elements interact, we can better optimize cognitive and physical function in both children and adults. So the next time you have the choice between hitting the gym or heading outdoors, consider stepping outside—not just for your physical health, but for your brain as well.
LINKS / REFERENCES:
Outdoor physical activity is more beneficial than indoor physical activity for cognition in young people (Physiology & Behavior) | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science…
Longer wavelengths in sunlight pass through the human body and have a systemic impact which improves vision (Scientific Reports) | https://www.nature.com/articles/s4159…