Effect of Single Physical Load of Different Duration and Intensity on Cognitive Function

Saulė Sipavičienė,Audronė Dumčienė,Albertas Skurvydas,Irina Ramanauskienė

doi:10.3390/medicina48040031

Saulė Sipavičienė, Audronė Dumčienė + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina48040031

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a single physical load of different duration and intensity on cognitive function. The study population comprised 90 male soldiers. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups: experimental (n=60) and control group (n=30). The soldiers in the experimental group undertook 3 specific loads of different types, durations, and intensities. Attention concentration and tapping tests were carried out, and the reaction time was measured. After the physical load, the soldiers in the experimental group performed the attention concentration test faster, the number of committed mistakes decreased, and the rate of processing information increased as compared to the corresponding values before physical load (all P<0.05). However, the indices of fatigue, such as the tapping test score and reaction time, in the experimental group were found to be worse than before physical loads (P<0.05). No significant changes were observed in the control group of soldiers. Despite fatigue, a single physical load of different duration and intensity improved the cognitive function.

Highlights

Studies on humans and animals showed that aerobic exercise could improve some aspects of cognition and mental working capacity [1, 2]
The reaction time (RT) and tapping test (TT) scores were determined with the aim to evaluate fatigue generated by the physical load
A comparison of the results concerning errors made by the soldiers in the experimental group before and after the physical load showed that the number of errors significantly decreased after the physical load (P

Summary

Introduction

Studies on humans and animals showed that aerobic exercise could improve some aspects of cognition and mental working capacity [1, 2]. Regular physical activity invokes biochemical and long-term morphological as well as functional changes in various systems of the human body. A beneficial aerobic effect of physical activity on the cerebral function was noted in specialized literature [3]. Recent studies aimed at revealing the effect of physical exercise on the cerebral function and cognitive activities demonstrate a growing scientific interest in this field of research [6]. Scientists emphasize the benefit of regular physical activity concerning the improvement of mental work capacity. The data about structural changes in the brain caused by a sedentary lifestyle, i.e., lack of physical

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