Dual-N-Back optimal duration exercises

[Francis Siefken]

Hallo,

What is the optimal duration for exercises or isn't there one?

Would for example 6 x 4 minute exercises spread over the day be just
as effective as 24 minutes once (or what about for example 2x12
minutes)?

I know that this doesn't count for napping or meditation, but perhaps
they are not comparable in this regard.

Francis
http://twitter.com/fsiefken

[David Jiménez]

For me, doing it at once is a bit tiring, so I split it in 2 parts of 12 minutes on an hour. In the middle I try to do some relaxing exercises.

--
David Jiménez
Blog: http://davigettux.blogspot.com

[Ashirgo]

The most optimal option is to do "everything" (that is, 20 trials or
even more, if you like) at once, with intervals as short as possible;
it is the best way to train your focus over extended periods of time.


It is sad but true, one would say ;)

[VinceD]

Has this been shown to be true?
I thought that the studies haven't gone beyond the 20 trials at one
time yet... if not, then we simply don't know what is optimal, however
we know that 20 trials at 1 time works. So other schema's may be
better or worse, but they are unproven...

[jc]

This is a very interesting area. I was thinking about incorporating
some new research that's come out about 'spaced learning'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaced_learning which is supposed to
accelerate the learning process. Now i know this is slightly different
in that spaced learning is focussed on the transfer of short term
memory to long term, with the requisite building of neuronal
connections. The research pointed out that the 10 minute break between
learning episodes was optimal at the cell level for building
connections.
Now this is effectively what we're doing. We're not learning facts as
such, but what we're trying to do is force new connections to improve
working memory. So I was thinking the optimal training program would
be 3x10minute slots, with a 10 minute break between the slots.

[YadgaJack]

Ashirgo

I do the dual n-back in 100 or 200 trials until I have done it for an
hour (im my 4th day of this trying to do 19 straight), i think it is
more taxing on your brain so basically I like to make the training
hard...does that translate into better/faster gains for myself???

> > better or worse, but they are unproven...- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[Ashirgo]

It does translate into more rapid advancement in n-back levels, but I
do not believe anyone did any measures of its effectiveness in
increasing the fluid intelligence.

The original research paper, however, states that gains are connected
with the time spent according to that equation: the more you train,
the better you get.