Resistance exercising on unstable surface leads to Pupil Dilation

Area of Science:

• Exercise Science
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Human Physiology

Background:

• Resistance exercise enhances both physical and cognitive performance.
• Mechanisms for cognitive benefits from resistance training are not fully understood.
• Unstable surfaces may increase metabolic and cognitive demands during exercise.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare cognitive activation during resistance exercise on stable versus unstable surfaces.
• To investigate pupil diameter as a measure of cognitive activation during exercise.
• To explore the role of neuromodulatory systems in exercise-induced cognitive benefits.

Main Methods:

• 18 participants performed kettlebell squats on stable and unstable (BOSU®) surfaces.
• Pupil diameter was recorded using eye-tracking glasses during exercise.
• Student t-test compared mean pupil diameter between conditions.

Main Results:

• Mean pupil diameter was significantly greater during squats on unstable surfaces (0.61 mm) compared to stable surfaces (0.49 mm).
• This indicates increased cognitive activation and effort when using unstable devices.

Conclusions:

• Unstable surfaces enhance cognitive activation during acute resistance exercise, as evidenced by pupil dilation.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the precise neuromodulatory mechanisms involved.
• Resistance training, with or without instability, offers physical and cognitive benefits for all ages.