THE IMPACT OF CHRONIC PHYSICAL EXERCISE ON ATTENTION AND WORKING MEMORY IN ADOLESCENTS AND ADULTS

Executive attention plays a central role in the functioning of working memory, and individual differences in attentional capacity can predict performance on complex cognitive tasks, such as the Stroop task—particularly in contexts that require active goal maintenance. This paper investigates the impact of physical exercise on attention and working memory in adolescents and adults, with a particular focus on how physical activity influences cognitive performance and associated neural changes. Working memory is a core system responsible for the temporary storage and manipulation of information and is closely linked to higher-order cognitive functions. The reviewed studies suggest that physical exercise can exert beneficial effects on working memory performance, supported by changes in brain regions involved in these processes, such as the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus. Functional neuroimaging (fMRI) provides evidence that physical exercise induces both functional and structural modifications in these areas, which may underlie the observed cognitive improvements. However, the findings are not entirely consistent: variations in exercise type, duration, and intensity yield heterogeneous outcomes, and some studies report contradictory results. Therefore, while physical activity appears to be a significant factor in supporting and enhancing attention and working memory, further research is needed to elucidate the precise neurocognitive mechanisms involved.