Background:Obese men have low cognitive abilities. Acute exercise improves cognition and whether BMI influences this is not clear. Hence, we assess the role of BMI in cognitive benefits due to acute exercise.

Materials and methods:Hundred and twenty males, aged between 18 to 23 years, were divided into group A (n=61) within BMI 18 to 24.9 and group B (n=59) with BMI 25 and above. Cognitive functions like visual reaction time, Go No Go task, Stroop test and N back tests were performed immediately before and after a moderate aerobic exercise. The latency in milliseconds in cognitive tests were compared within group due to exercise. The change in latency in cognitive tests due to exercise was compared between the two groups.

Results:Among group A visual reaction time showed improvement (p = .010) and among group B latency in N back test showed improvement (p = .030). Latency in Stroop test showed improvement among both the groups (p < .001). Go No Go task did not show any improvement in both the groups. The change in latency in all cognitive tests due to acute exercise was not significantly different between the groups. 

Conclusion:Acute exercise showed enhancement in executive function, cognitive inhibition and working memory among young men and this change was not influenced by BMI.