The Effect of Acute High-Intensity Interval Training on Executive Function: A Systematic Review

Jing-Yi Ai, Feng-Tzu Chen, Shu-Shih Hsieh, Shih-Chun Kao, Ai-Guo Chen, Tsung-Min Hung and Yu-Kai Chang
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Jing-Yi Ai: Department of Physical Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 106209, Taiwan
Feng-Tzu Chen: Sport Neuroscience Division, Advanced Research Initiative for Human High Performance (ARIHHP), Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 3058577, Japan
Shu-Shih Hsieh: Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
Shih-Chun Kao: Department of Health and Kinesiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
Ai-Guo Chen: College of Physical Education, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
Tsung-Min Hung: Department of Physical Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 106209, Taiwan
Yu-Kai Chang: Department of Physical Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 106209, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 7, 1-17

Abstract: Acute high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a time-efficient strategy to improve physical health; however, the effect of acute HIIT on executive function (EF) is unclear. The aim of this study was to systematically review the existing evidence and quantify the effect of acute HIIT on overall EF and the factors affecting the relationship between acute HIIT and EF. Standard databases (i.e., the PubMed, Medline, Scopus, and CENTRAL databases) were searched for studies that examined the effect of acute HIIT on EF and were published up until January 2021. The overall EF and factors grouped by three categories, namely, EF assessment characteristics, exercise intervention characteristics, and sample and study characteristics, were analyzed by percentage of comparison for positive or null/negative effects. Overall, 35 of 57 outcomes (61%) across 24 studies revealed that acute HIIT has a positive effect on overall EF. In terms of factors, the results indicated that among EF assessment characteristics, groups, inhibition, updating, and the assessment occurring within 30 min may moderate the effect of acute HIIT on EF, while among exercise intervention characteristics, total time within 11 to 30 min may moderate the effect. Finally, among sample characteristics, age under 40 years may moderate the effect. Acute HIIT is generally considered a viable alternative for eliciting EF gains, with factors related to EF components, timing of the assessment, exercise total time, and age potentially moderating the effect of HIIT on EF.

Keywords: acute exercise; cognitive function; high-intensity interval training; executive function; exercise; systematic review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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