The Combined Effect of Acute Interval and Cognitive Training on Visual-Spatial Abilities in Women: Preliminary Insights for Health Promotion

Christel Galvani (), Sabrina Demarie, Ester Tommasini, Alessandro Antonietti, Thomas Zandonai and Paolo Bruseghini
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Christel Galvani: Exercise & Sport Science Laboratory, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, Italy
Sabrina Demarie: Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy
Ester Tommasini: Exercise & Sport Science Laboratory, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, Italy
Alessandro Antonietti: Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, Italy
Thomas Zandonai: Department of Pharmacology, Paediatrics and Organic Chemistry, Miguel Hernández University of Elche, 03550 Sant Joan Alicante, Spain
Paolo Bruseghini: Exercise & Sport Science Laboratory, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, Italy

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 10, 1-15

Abstract: Different sports require elevated visual-spatial and related cognitive abilities, which are increasingly recognized as crucial not only for athletic performance but also for broader public health implications. Sex-related differences in these abilities have often been explained through both biological and sociocultural factors, with males traditionally described as having superior visual-spatial skills. However, fewer studies have investigated how targeted physical training can enhance these abilities in women. This study aimed to analyze the influence of two different cycling interval training exercises on visual-spatial ability in women. Seventy-two healthy, active, and young women engaged in (1) a High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) session followed by a cognitive training (CT); or (2) a Low-Volume Interval Training (LVIT) session followed by a CT; or (3) a cognitive (COG) session, consisting of listening to music followed by a CT; or (4) a control (CTRL) session, consisting of solely listening to music. Cognitive performance was assessed at baseline and after the training sessions using the Metzler and Shepard Test (MS), the Paper Folding and Cutting Test (PFC), and the Mental Rotation Test (MRT). No significant between-group differences were observed. However, in all groups the time to complete the PFC and MRT tests was significantly lower and the number of errors was significantly smaller for the PFC test in the post-test compared with the pre-test. These findings expand the current literature by demonstrating that interval training, whether high intensity or low volume, when combined with cognitive training, may improve certain aspects of visual-spatial cognitive performance in healthy, active, young women. These findings highlight the potential of combining structured exercise with cognitive challenges. Such interventions may promote cognitive health in women and contribute to long-term public health outcomes.

Keywords: high-intensity interval training; low-volume interval training; cognitive training; visual-spatial ability; health promotion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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