The Influence of Acute Sprint Interval Training on Cognitive Performance of Healthy Younger Adults

Fabian Herold, Tom Behrendt, Caroline Meißner, Notger G. Müller and Lutz Schega
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Fabian Herold: Research Group Degenerative and Chronic Diseases, Movement, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24–25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
Tom Behrendt: Department of Sport Science, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Zschokkestr. 32, 39104 Magdeburg, Germany
Caroline Meißner: Department of Sport Science, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Zschokkestr. 32, 39104 Magdeburg, Germany
Notger G. Müller: Research Group Degenerative and Chronic Diseases, Movement, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24–25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
Lutz Schega: Department of Sport Science, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Zschokkestr. 32, 39104 Magdeburg, Germany

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: There is considerable evidence showing that an acute bout of physical exercises can improve cognitive performance, but the optimal exercise characteristics (e.g., exercise type and exercise intensity) remain elusive. In this regard, there is a gap in the literature to which extent sprint interval training (SIT) can enhance cognitive performance. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of a time-efficient SIT, termed as “shortened-sprint reduced-exertion high-intensity interval training” (SSREHIT), on cognitive performance. Nineteen healthy adults aged 20–28 years were enrolled and assessed for attentional performance (via the d2 test), working memory performance (via Digit Span Forward/Backward), and peripheral blood lactate concentration immediately before and 10 min after an SSREHIT and a cognitive engagement control condition (i.e., reading). We observed that SSREHIT can enhance specific aspects of attentional performance, as it improved the percent error rate (F%) in the d-2 test ( t (18) = −2.249, p = 0.037, d = −0.516), which constitutes a qualitative measure of precision and thoroughness. However, SSREHIT did not change other measures of attentional or working memory performance. In addition, we observed that the exercise-induced increase in the peripheral blood lactate levels correlated with changes in attentional performance, i.e., the total number of responses (GZ) (r m = 0.70, p < 0.001), objective measures of concentration (SKL) (r m = 0.73, p < 0.001), and F% (r m = −0.54, p = 0.015). The present study provides initial evidence that a single bout of SSREHIT can improve specific aspects of attentional performance and conforming evidence for a positive link between cognitive improvements and changes in peripheral blood lactate levels.

Keywords: sprint interval training; acute exercise; cognition; lactate; exercise–cognition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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