Results from the Stroop Task revealed that performance
(total time) was faster in parts A (Word) and B (Color)
compared to part C (Word/Color). These findings are consis-
tent with the nature of the cognitive task. Performance on parts
A and B relate to cognitive processing speed and are typically
performed quickly, while part C is a measure of inhibition and
requires longer to perform accurately. Importantly, results
indicated that performance was superior after the exercise
condition compared to the non-exercise condition. That is,
performance was improved following exercise compared to
performance after the control condition, and the size of this
effect was not distinguishable between processing speed and
inhibition (i.e., the interaction effect was non-significant).
These findings are similar to those reported by Chang
et al.29 in a study of the effects of acute exercise on Stroop
Task performance by older adults, but are different from those
of Chang et al.16 who observed a condition by task interaction
for children showing that benefits from exercise were specific
to part C (inhibition) of the Stroop Task. The reason for the
difference in findings between the two studies with children is
not completely clear. Both studies used moderate intensity
exercise performed for 20 min with a 5-min warm-up and a 5-
min cool-down, thus perhaps the differences are due to dif-
ferences in design between the two studies. Chang et al.16 used
a mixed design whereby participants performed the Stroop
Task prior to and following the treatment condition to which
they were randomly assigned. By contrast, in this study par-
ticipants only performed the Stroop Task following the treat-
ment, but performed both treatments over the course of the
study. It is possible that Stroop effects are evident across all
tasks when there is not an opportunity for learning on the same
day. However, future research will be necessary to determine
whether or not this is an appropriate explanation for these
disparate findings.