Effects Of An Acute Bout Of Resistance Exercise On Cognitive Performance In Young Adults

Abstract

There is overwhelming support for enhanced cognitive performance (CP) as a result of an acute bout of aerobic exercise. However, there is less research, and the research is less clear regarding the effects of an acute bout of resistance exercise (RE) on cognitive performance. PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of an acute bout of high-intensity RE on reaction time (RT), working memory (WM) & inhibition (IC) - parameters of CP. To determine if there were sex differences for RE & CP, & to examine the relationship between CP & RE-Total Load (TL). METHODS: 23 healthy males (9) & females (Age = 21.7±1.8 yrs) volunteered. Day 1: body composition (Bodpod) and VO2 max were assessed (HRmax = 189.6 +/-5.4 b/min, VO2max = 49.0+/-7.3 ml/kg/min, BF% = 18.1+/-6.5). Day 2: Ss completed an initial battery of CP tests (imPACT) & then completed 1-repitition maximums (1-RM) for 7 Res that made-up the RE routine. Days 3&4: Ss underwent either 30 minutes of semi-reclined Rest (R) or the RE routine. The RE routine consisted of 2 consecutive sets (12 reps) of each RE at 75% 1-RM, followed by 1min of R. R & RE routine order was counter-balanced. Days 2, 3&4 were separated by 1wk. Prior to (PreR & PreEx) & following R & RE routine (PostR & PostEx) Ss performed the imPACT assessment for CP. 4(Conditions) X 2(Sex) ANOVAs with Repeated Measures & a priori contrasts were used to test for significant main effects & interactions for the CP variables. RESULTS: T-Tests confirmed Males (M) exhibited higher VO2max, TL, RE-VO2 & lower BF%. PreEx-PostEx RT (526+/-60ms - 510+/-58ms) was significantly reduced (p<0.02), whereas PreR-PostR RT (525+/-53ms - 532+/-67ms) & PreR-PreEx RT (525+/-53ms - 526+/-60ms) did not differ significantly. None of the CP variables differed by Sex. RT-change (PreEx-PostEx) & TL & RE-VO2 were not significantly correlated. CONCLUSION: Following a single-bout of a high-intensity RE routine, RT was significantly reduced for M & F. However, WM & IC did not differ significantly following RE or R for M or F. M exhibited greater VO2 & VCO2 in response to greater TL, however the change in RT (PreEx-PostEx) was not related to TL the entire group or for M or F.