International experts from the USA, Poland, Japan, Taiwan, and China recently gathered at the University of Basel for a collaborative workshop hosted by the HEADS-Lab (Health and Development through Exercise and Sport) at the Department of Sport, Exercise and Health. The workshop aimed to establish the foundation for a new international multisite research initiative investigating how exercise influences cognitive functioning and the underlying neurophysiological and psychological mechanisms.

Over two intensive days, researchers from different disciplines and career stages reviewed and critically evaluated the current state of the evidence, identified key research gaps and methodological challenges, and collaboratively developed a harmonized research protocol that can be implemented across participating sites. The protocol will enable the investigation of the acute effects of different forms of exercise on cognition while considering potential mechanisms and individual differences in responsiveness.

The newly established international consortium will now coordinate the next steps, including the preparation and implementation of data collection across all participating research sites. By combining international expertise and harmonizing research approaches, the consortium aims to advance reproducible and collaborative research on the relationship between exercise, brain function, and cognitive performance.