Does self-paced exercise depend on executive processing? A narrative review of the current evidence. Issue 1 (1st January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Holgado, Darías; Sanabria, Daniel
• Is Part Of: International review of sport and exercise psychology. Volume 14:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 130
• Page End: 153
• Publication Date: 2021-01-01
• Subjects: Endurance -- Cognition -- self-regulation -- executive functions -- exercise regulation -- physical activity; Sports -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 796.019
• DOI: 10.1080/1750984X.2020.1774915
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1750-984X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Self-paced exercise is any physical activity in which the effort has to be distributed over time in order to achieve the objective of the event. Hence, self-paced aerobic exercise is a goal-directed behavior towards an objective that involves several cognitive processes. The aim of the present review is to ask the extent to which self-paced exercise might rely on executive functions and the empirical evidence of top-down processing on self-paced exercise. We discuss the evidence from different experimental manipulations showing a potential link between self-paced exercise and executive processing. We finally highlight some gaps in the literature and possible factors that might mediate the role of executive processing and self-paced exercise. Self-paced exercise is likely to be a highly complex process, in which a multitude of factors non-related to executive functions can also contribute to the ultimate decision to upregulate or downregulate exercise intensity.