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Cognition, cerebral blood flow (CBF) and its major regulator (i.e., arterial CO₂), increase with submaximal exercise and decline with severe exercise. These responses may depend on fitness. We investigated whether exercise-related changes in cognition are mediated in part by concomitant changes in CBF and CO₂, in ten active (26 ± 3 years) and ten inactive (24 ± 6 years) healthy adults.

Participants completed two randomised sessions; exercise and a resting CO₂-control—wherein end-tidal CO₂ (PETCO₂) was matched between sessions and clamped across conditions at exercise-associated increases (+ 3 mmHg) and hypercapnia (+ 10 mmHg). Exercise comprised inclined walking at submaximal and severe intensities. CBF was indexed using right middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCAv). Cognition (visuomotor, switching and inhibitory response time) was measured before, during …