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Abstract
The primary purpose of this study was to test if an acute bout of cycling exercise in a sample of adults with epilepsy would improve feelings of energy and enhance executive functioning. Secondary aims included evaluating cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity levels. A within-participants crossover design was used to compare seated rest to 20 minutes of moderate-intensity cycling. Ten people diagnosed with epilepsy completed the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task (WCST) before and twice after the treatments. Within-participants repeated measures ANCOVAs, controlling for initial values, showed a significant interaction for POMS vigor, F(2,32)=4.21, p=.024, 2=.208; immediately after exercise, vigor scores were higher than seated rest. WCST performance was not influenced by acute exercise. Acute exercise results in transient increases in feelings of energy without altering executive functioning.