Acute Effects of High-Intensity Functional Training and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training on Cognitive Functions in Young Adults.

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the present study was to compare the influence of an acute bout of high-intensity functional training (HIFT) with an acute bout of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on measures of cognitive function.

METHODS

Sixty-nine young adults (Mean ± SD: age 21.01 ± 2.79 yrs; body mass 69.65 ± 6.62 kg; height 1.74 ± 0.05 m; Body Mass Index 22.8 ± 1.41) gave informed consent and were randomly divided into three groups. The HIFT group, with 27 participants, performed a high-intensity (>85% Max. HR) circuit of functional exercises for 30 min. The MICT group, with 28 participants, performed moderate-intensity (70-80% Max. HR) continuous training on a cyclo-ergometer. The control group did not perform any activity. The Stroop Test, Word Recall and N-Back Test were completed to assess during the familiarization period, immediately before and immediately after the training's bouts.

RESULTS

The repeated measures ANOVA did not show significant mean differences for any group. However, the T-Test for the paired samples demonstrated very significant differences in the Stroop Test, in terms of fastest response time (FRT; mean difference (MD) -1.14, 0.01, d 0.9), mean response time (MRT; MD -2.16, 0.01, d 0.66) and the number of correct answers (NCA; MD 1.08, 0.05, d 0.5) in the HIFT group and in the MICT group (FRT; MD -1.79, 0.01, d 0.9), (MRT; MD -3.07, 0.01, d 0.9) (NCA; MD 1.54, 0.05, d 0.5).

CONCLUSIONS

There were no differences in the control group. HIFT and MICT may elicit specific influences on cognitive function, mainly in executive function and selective attention.