High-intensity cardiovascular exercise facilitates online motor skill learning, with no effect of BDNF genotype

Previous studies have demonstrated that exercise can influence motor skill learning. However, the specific components of learning primed by exercise remain unclear. This study examined the effect of a preceding bout of high intensity interval training (HIIT) on the acquisition of a novel motor skill. The investigation focused on whether improvement in skill across the session was attributable to online gains during active practice or offline rest periods between practice blocks. Whether common polymorphisms of the BDNF and DRD2/ANKK1 genes that regulate plasticity, learning, and memory, influenced the relationship between exercise and motor learning was also investigated. HIIT enhanced skill acquisition, but the effects of HIIT priming were not specifically attributable to within-session online or offline learning processes. Contrary to research on overnight consolidation, there was no interaction between BDNF, nor DRD2/ANKK1 genotype, with exercise primed skill learning. This builds our understanding of how exercise benefits skill leaning over a single session.