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A single 1,500 m freestyle at maximal speed decreases cognitive function in athletes
Zhijie Lai1,2, Weiwei Huang3, Wentao Lin4,5
1Department of Graduation, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou, China.
Frontiers in Psychology
|December 21, 2023
Summary
Maximal effort in 1,500 m freestyle swimming significantly impairs cognitive function, indicated by reduced performance in tests like the Schulte grid and Trail-making test. This cognitive decline is linked to changes in brain oxygenation within the prefrontal cortex.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Neuroscience
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Physical exercise enhances cognitive function, but effects vary by modality, intensity, and duration.
- Limited research exists on competitive sports' impact on cognitive function.
- The 1,500 m freestyle is a demanding Olympic swimming event.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of maximal-speed 1,500 m freestyle swimming on cognitive function.
- To analyze the mechanism of cognitive decline using hemoglobin oxygenation difference (Hbdiff).
Main Methods:
- 13 male university swimmers completed a maximal 1,500 m freestyle race.
- Cognitive function assessed via Schulte grid test (SGT), Trail-making test (TMT), and digit span test (DST) pre- and post-race.
- Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) measured prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity, response time (RT), and accuracy (ACC).
Main Results:
- Significant cognitive decline observed in SGT, TMT, and digit span test-backward (DST-B) (p < 0.01).
- Altered oxygenated hemoglobin (Oxy-Hb) concentrations in right frontopolar area (R-FPA), right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (R-DLPFC), and middle dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (M-DLPFC).
- Significant activation in the right brain areas and overall changes in Oxy-Hb within key PFC regions (p < 0.01).
Conclusions:
- Exhaustive 1,500 m freestyle swimming leads to physical fatigue and cognitive impairment.
- Cognitive decline is associated with PFC activation in FPA, DLPFC, and M-DLPFC regions.
- Altered functional connectivity within the PFC may contribute to reduced cognitive function post-intense exercise.
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