Abstract
The presumed benefits of exercise/physical activity on the brain are an important public health issue. However, the experimental approach to understanding the effects of physical activity on the brain, and more particularly on cognitive functions, has only been studied recently. In particular, females remain underrepresented in the research, despite having a specific training/exercise adaptation/response. The aim of the present study was to examine the acute effects of high- and moderate-intensity strength exercise (3 sets of 8–10 repetitions and 3 sets of 6 repetitions, respectively, with each session lasting approximately 30 min) on attention and mood states in female physical education students. Forty-six female physical education students (Mage = 20.02 ± 1.05 years, MBody Mass Index = 21.07) volunteered to participate in this study. They were divided into three groups: a moderate-intensity strength exercise group (MISEG: n = 15), a high-intensity strength exercise group (HISEG: n = 16), and a control group (CG: n = 15). Attention and psychological states were assessed using the d2 test, Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) and the Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) questionnaire, respectively, before and after each session. The data showed that in the MISEG attention increased, in terms of concentration (p = 0.05). RPE values, fatigue and confusion were higher for the HISEG than the CG (p < 0.05) and the MISEG (p < 0.05). Vigour was higher for the MISEG than other groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, moderate-intensity resistance exercise is an appropriate method to improve attention in female participants. The elevated cognitive performance may be due to the changes in RPE and mood states (fatigue, vigour and confusion subscales).
Highlights
The presumed benefits of exercise/physical activity on the brain are an important health issue
Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) and the fatigue and confusion subscales were higher in the high-intensity strength exercise group (HISEG) than the moderate-intensity strength exercise group (MISEG) and the control group (CG)
Many studies have reported that acute resistance exercise improves cognitive function [21,31]
Summary
The presumed benefits of exercise/physical activity on the brain are an important health issue. The experimental approach to understanding the effects of physical activity on the brain, and more on cognitive functions, has only occurred recently. The most obvious benefits are seen for the elderly, where physical activity slows the rate of cognitive decline associated with ageing [1,2,3,4]. The size of the effect of physical activity on cognitive functioning is dependent upon a number of factors, such as the type of cognitive performance assessed, exercise intensity, exercise duration, and participant fitness [5]. More in-depth knowledge about the relationship between exercise/physical activity and cognitive functioning could inform researchers, in particular sports scientists and neuroscientists, as well as physicians. Gabbard and Barton [6] were the first authors who examined this issue
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