Exercise-induced improvement in cognitive performance after fimbria-fornix transection depends on the timing of exercise administration

•Improved post-injury place learning after a 7day running regimen.•Varying effects on performance with exercise initiation 1, 8 or 21days post-injury.•Delayed voluntary exercise resulted in support of posttraumatic cognitive recovery.•Less efficient effect on functional recovery with early exercise initiation.•Timing of voluntary exercise appears to determine posttraumatic functional outcome.