The moderating role of aerobic exercise in the relationship between stress and cognitive functions

Abstract This study examines the effect of stress on cognitive failures and the potential moderating role of aerobic exercise. A total of 290 university students participated, and moderation analysis was conducted using Hayes’ PROCESS Model 1 (Version 4.2). Results showed that stress alone did not s...

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Main Authors: Mert Ayranci, Mehmet Kemal Aydin, Metin Kuş, Murat Sarikabak, Mehmet İsmail Tosun, Servet Ebrar Bayram, Mehmet Civan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-14202-w
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author Mert Ayranci
Mehmet Kemal Aydin
Metin Kuş
Murat Sarikabak
Mehmet İsmail Tosun
Servet Ebrar Bayram
Mehmet Civan
author_facet Mert Ayranci
Mehmet Kemal Aydin
Metin Kuş
Murat Sarikabak
Mehmet İsmail Tosun
Servet Ebrar Bayram
Mehmet Civan
author_sort Mert Ayranci
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study examines the effect of stress on cognitive failures and the potential moderating role of aerobic exercise. A total of 290 university students participated, and moderation analysis was conducted using Hayes’ PROCESS Model 1 (Version 4.2). Results showed that stress alone did not significantly predict cognitive failures. However, aerobic exercise appeared to play a potential moderating role in this relationship. Specifically, a significant association between stress and cognitive failures was observed among moderate- and high-intensity exercisers, while no such effect was found in low-intensity exercisers. Additionally, sleep duration was negatively associated with cognitive failures. These findings suggest that aerobic exercise may influence the relationship between stress and cognitive failures, although further investigation is needed to establish this effect more conclusively.
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spelling doaj-art-8e5de48fc0f944eb8132ec2ba80aa9c62025-08-20T03:46:01ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-011511810.1038/s41598-025-14202-wThe moderating role of aerobic exercise in the relationship between stress and cognitive functionsMert Ayranci0Mehmet Kemal Aydin1Metin Kuş2Murat Sarikabak3Mehmet İsmail Tosun4Servet Ebrar Bayram5Mehmet Civan6Faculty of Sport Sciences, Hitit UniversityFaculty of Sport Sciences, Hitit UniversityFaculty of Sport Sciences, Hitit UniversityFaculty of Sport Sciences, Bartın UniversityFaculty of Sport Sciences, Hitit UniversityCenter for Distance Education Application and Research, Hitit UniversityFaculty of Sport Sciences, Hitit UniversityAbstract This study examines the effect of stress on cognitive failures and the potential moderating role of aerobic exercise. A total of 290 university students participated, and moderation analysis was conducted using Hayes’ PROCESS Model 1 (Version 4.2). Results showed that stress alone did not significantly predict cognitive failures. However, aerobic exercise appeared to play a potential moderating role in this relationship. Specifically, a significant association between stress and cognitive failures was observed among moderate- and high-intensity exercisers, while no such effect was found in low-intensity exercisers. Additionally, sleep duration was negatively associated with cognitive failures. These findings suggest that aerobic exercise may influence the relationship between stress and cognitive failures, although further investigation is needed to establish this effect more conclusively.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-14202-wAerobic exerciseCognitive functionsStressSleepModeration analysis
spellingShingle Mert Ayranci
Mehmet Kemal Aydin
Metin Kuş
Murat Sarikabak
Mehmet İsmail Tosun
Servet Ebrar Bayram
Mehmet Civan
The moderating role of aerobic exercise in the relationship between stress and cognitive functions
Scientific Reports
Aerobic exercise
Cognitive functions
Stress
Sleep
Moderation analysis
title The moderating role of aerobic exercise in the relationship between stress and cognitive functions
title_full The moderating role of aerobic exercise in the relationship between stress and cognitive functions
title_fullStr The moderating role of aerobic exercise in the relationship between stress and cognitive functions
title_full_unstemmed The moderating role of aerobic exercise in the relationship between stress and cognitive functions
title_short The moderating role of aerobic exercise in the relationship between stress and cognitive functions
title_sort moderating role of aerobic exercise in the relationship between stress and cognitive functions
topic Aerobic exercise
Cognitive functions
Stress
Sleep
Moderation analysis
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-14202-w
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