Researcher ORCID Identifier

0009-0008-7354-8778

Graduation Year

2026

Date of Submission

11-2026

Document Type

Campus Only Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Neuroscience

Reader 1

Diana Williams

Reader 2

Xiao Zhang

Rights Information

©2026 McKenzie K Emmons

Abstract

Previous literature has shown that acute aerobic exercise is associated with transient increases in cortisol (Hill et al., 2008), a glucocorticoid that plays a central role in modulating cognitive performance (de Souza-Talarico et al., 2011). While excessive or prolonged cortisol release may impair one’s executive functions (Sun et al., 2025; Shields et al., 2016), it is hypothesized that moderate stress responses may benefit one’s attention and working memory. Bringing all these variables together, the present study looks to investigate the impact acute aerobic exercise has on our cortisol levels and the subsequent influence on our working memory and attention abilities. Healthy college students (ages 18-24) will be randomly selected and recruited for this study. Using a within-subjects design, participants will complete both an exercise condition and a control condition (rest). Salivary cortisol samples and cognitive assessments will be collected at four time points throughout each phase of the study. To assess working memory, participants will complete the n-back task, and to assess attention, participants will complete the Stroop task. Based on the methodology described, we hypothesize that acute aerobic exercise which elicits a moderate cortisol response within an individual will correspond with enhanced working memory and attention ability relative to the control condition. Overall, the findings of this study will greatly contribute to the growing literature on the neuroendocrine mechanisms linking exercise and cognition, while allowing individuals to optimize their daily schedules and structure their exercise routine to best benefit their cognitive abilities.

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This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.

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