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Updated: Jan 11, 2026
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Estimate the Cognitive Load Using Electrocardiographic Measure: A Human-AI Collaborative Task
Published on: December 5, 2025
160
Cognitive correlates of human endurance.
Daniel H Aslan1, Laura Fenton2, S Duke Han2
1Human and Evolutionary Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, CA 90089.
Summary
Cognitive tasks during endurance walking increase perceived effort but not energy expenditure. Enhanced cognitive abilities can mitigate this increased perceived effort, suggesting evolutionary cognitive gains influenced endurance foraging.
Area of Science:
- Human evolution
- Neuroscience
- Exercise physiology
Background:
- Combining physical activity and cognitive tasks may have been crucial for human evolution.
- Foraging, a key ancestral lifestyle, involves integrated physical and cognitive demands.
- The impact of cognitive engagement on endurance and foraging performance is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test if cognitive engagement during endurance walking increases perceived physical effort without altering physiological responses.
- To determine if enhanced cognitive abilities mitigate the effects of cognitive load on endurance.
Main Methods:
- Thirty healthy adults completed two randomized 30-min treadmill walking tests: one control (Ex) and one with simultaneous executive function tasks (ExCog).
- Physiological responses and perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded.
- Cognitive abilities, including visuospatial skills, were assessed.
Main Results:
- Perceived exertion (RPE) was significantly higher during the ExCog condition compared to the Ex condition (P = 0.005).
- Energy expenditure was significantly lower during the ExCog condition (P = 0.008).
- Individuals with higher visuospatial abilities showed a smaller increase in RPE during ExCog, indicating cognitive mitigation (FDR P = 0.039).
Conclusions:
- Cognitive demands during endurance activities increase perceived effort but can decrease energy expenditure.
- Cognitive abilities play a role in modulating perceived effort during physical exertion.
- Evolutionary increases in human cognitive capacity may have reduced limitations on endurance foraging performance.
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