Abstract
Functional circuit training (FCT) has been demonstrated to acutely enhance cognitive performance (CP). However, the moderators of this observation are unknown. This study aimed to elucidate the role of exercise intensity. According to an a priori sample size calculation, n = 24 healthy participants (26 ± 3 years, 13 females), in randomized order, performed a single 15-min bout of FCT with low (20–39% of the heart rate reserve/HRR), moderate (40–59% HRR) or high intensity (maximal effort). Immediately pre- and post-workout, CP was measured by use of the Digit Span test, Stroop test and Trail Making test. Non-parametric data analyses did not reveal significant differences between conditions (p > 0.05) although parameter-free 95% confidence intervals showed pre-post improvements in some outcomes at moderate and high intensity only. The effort level does not seem to be a major effect modifier regarding short-term increases in CP following HCT in young active adults.
Highlights
Many studies have established the beneficial effects of physical exercise on cognitive performance (CP, [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8])
Most studies examining the effects of exercise on CP focused on aerobic-type or resistance exercise
High-intensity functional training (HIFT) is a highly popular training method, which ranks among the top fitness trends worldwide [14] and aims to concurrently integrate cardiovascular and muscular efforts
Summary
Many studies have established the beneficial effects of physical exercise on cognitive performance (CP, [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]). According to the available literature, chronic interventions (e.g., aerobic or resistance training), performed over weeks to months, enhance a variety of higher and lower order brain functions [5,6,7,8], which may be attributed to factors, such as enhanced cerebrovascular regulation, reduced systemic inflammation, improved insulin sensitivity or cortical neurogenesis [9,10,11]. Aside from non-modifiable factors (e.g., age) which may affect the effect magnitude [2,3,12], it has been proposed that exercise intensity represents a modifiable prime candidate driving immediate changes. Related workouts are based on the repeated execution of complex movement patterns (e.g., squats, lunges, push-ups) with minimal breaks in-between [15]
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