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Little but Intense: Using a HIIT-Based Strategy to Improve Mood and Cognitive Functioning in College Students
Inmaculada Concepción Martínez-Díaz1, Luis Carrasco Páez2
1BIOFANEX Research Group, Department of Human Movement and Sports Performance, University of Seville, E-41013 Seville, Spain.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 14, 2023
Summary
High-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) positively impacts mood and working memory in college students. A single bout of HIIE improved mood and cognitive function, with lasting effects observed 30 minutes post-exercise.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Sports Psychology
Background:
- Promoting healthy habits and cognitive function in young populations is crucial.
- High-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) is a time-efficient exercise modality.
- Understanding the acute effects of HIIE on mood and cognition is important for this demographic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the acute effects of a single bout of HIIE on mood states and working memory in college students.
- To determine if HIIE can serve as a motivational strategy for improving cognitive functioning.
- To assess the temporal effects of HIIE on mood and working memory.
Main Methods:
- 25 male college students participated in the study.
- Subjects completed a single bout of HIIE (10 x 1 min cycling at VO2peak power output).
- Mood states (Profile of Mood States) and working memory (Digit Span Test) were assessed pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 30 minutes post-exercise.
Main Results:
- Mood states significantly decreased immediately post-exercise but increased significantly after 30 minutes of recovery.
- Working memory performance (Digit Span Test scores) significantly increased immediately post-exercise.
- Enhanced working memory performance persisted 30 minutes post-exercise compared to pre-exercise levels.
Conclusions:
- A single session of HIIE acutely improves mood states in male college students.
- HIIE appears to be a potent stimulus for enhancing cognitive functioning, specifically working memory.
- These findings suggest HIIE can be a valuable strategy for improving mental well-being and cognitive performance in young adults.
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