ECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH15
Background: Executive function plays a crucial role in students academic performance and daily lives. This study aims to investigate the neurocognitive effects of physical exercise breaks following prolonged sitting as well as underlying mechanisms. Methods: In the randomized, double-blind, crossover study, each Participant (n =71) completed the three experimental conditions in pseudo-counterbalanced order: 115-minute uninterrupted sitting (SIT), 15-minute moderate-intensity exercise break (MIC), and 15-minute vigorous-intensity exercise break (VIC). The retinal vessel diameters (central retinal artery equivalents [CRAE], vein equivalents [CRVE], arteriovenous ratio [AVR]), modified dual-task Stroop performance, and cortical activation and effective connectivity (i.e., causal density) were assessed with pre- and post-test comparisons. Results: Both MIC and VIC raised the CRAE, CRVE, and AVR levels compared to SIT (p < 0.05). The MIC and VIC also decreased the z-scored reaction time, error rate, and IES levels by estimated 0.13, 0.36, and 0.20 units compared to SIT (p < 0.05). There were significant increases of cortical activation in ROI 2, 3, 6, and 7 from SIT to MIC to VIC (p < 0.05). For resting-state causal density of HbO, there was significant elevation in both MIC and VIC when comparing with SIT (p < 0.05). The MIC and VIC increased the task-based causal density in comparison with SIT (p < 0.05). When controlling for task-based causal density of HbO, both the direct and indirect effects of AVR on z-scored reaction time remained significant. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that moderate and vigorous-intensity cycling of exercise break significantly enhanced cognitive performance, cortical activation, effective brain network connectivity as well as retinal vessel diameters. Crucially, this study identified task-based causal density as a mediator in the relationship between AVR and Z-scored reaction time.
Read CV Zhihao ZhangECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH15
Introduction This study explores how Self-talk (ST) and Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) impact reaction time in volleyball players. While ST and PMR are known to reduce stress individually, their comparative effects on reaction time are underexplored. By employing these strategies as interventions, this research offers insights into their effectiveness for enhancing athletic performance. Findings provide practical implications for coaches and athletes aiming to optimize reaction time through psychological techniques. Methods In this study, 24 experienced male university volleyball players (aged 18-24) with a minimum of 5 years of training were randomly assigned to control (CG) (n=8), Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) (n=8), and Self-talk (n=8) groups. Over 6 weeks, experimental groups received either Self-talk or 15-minute PMR sessions, while controls had no intervention. Reaction time was measured using the SMARTfit Inc (Tract the Target system), and statistical analyses included one-way ANOVA and paired t-tests (p < 0.05). Results The findings indicated that there was a significant improvement in reaction time in both the PMR group (p = 0.02) and ST group (p = 0.00) with ST showing the most improvement of 13% (Pre: 0.43±0.05) to Post: 0.38±0.03) compared to PMR with 7.1% (Pre: 0.40±0.006) to Post: 0.4±0.4) and control only 1.7%. There was a significant difference between groups in the post-test, determined by One-way ANOVA, (F (2,21) = 3.90, p = 0.36). Tukey post hoc revealed that differences were between CG and ST (p = 0.029). Discussion The discussion underscores the efficacy of both Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) and Self-talk training in enhancing reaction time by mitigating anxiety levels during testing. Notably, the Self-talk group demonstrates superior improvement, potentially attributed to its unique capacity to sharpen focus and concentration by mitigating distracting thoughts. This aligns with Self-talks recognized role in managing sport-related anxiety, countering intrusive thoughts that impede performance. Conversely, PMR operates on the premise that muscle tension, induced by anxiety-provoking thoughts, can be alleviated through relaxation techniques. Despite both approaches yielding positive results, Self-talk emerges as the more potent strategy, suggesting its promise as a cognitive enhancement tool for volleyball players. Harnessing Self-talk techniques could thus offer a promising avenue for enhancing sports performance by enhancing cognitive abilities and alleviating anxiety-related interruptions.
Read CV Juliana Johan JohnECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH15
INTRODUCTION: While high intensity interval training (HIIT) has gained increasing popularity as a time-efficient exercise stimulus to promote health and fitness, studies examining its effects on cognition, especially higher-order executive functions, are rather limited [1]. The parameters of a HIIT protocol, including session volume, intensity, and work-to-rest time ratio, have the potential to impact executive function [2]. However, there is still a scarcity of research in this particular domain. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to explore the effects of various HIIT protocol parameters on executive function. METHODS: Thirteen sedentary women (age: 20.08±1.32 years; BMI: 21.58±2.30 kg/m2) participated in a randomized crossover trial. The trial included three pairs of HIIT protocols that varied in training volume (V), work intensity (I), and work-to-rest time ratio (W/R). The protocol pairs were as follows: A) high volume (HV) for 30 minutes vs. low volume (LV) for 20 minutes, B) high intensity (HI) (over 85% to 95% of maximum heart rate) vs. low intensity (LI) (75% to 85% of maximum heart rate), C) W/R of 1:1 vs. W/R of 1:2. Before and after each condition, the participants completed several cognitive tasks, including the Stroop test (ST), N-back task (NT), and more-odd shifting (MS), to assess their executive function. RESULTS: Compared to the pretest, significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in reaction time (RT) for ST across all the training conditions after acute HIIT training, while greater change in accuracy (AC) only induced by HV (p<0.05). For NT, most protocols resulted in a significant decrease in RT (p<0.05), except for HV, HI and W/R (1:2) in the 1-back test. Additionally, significant increases in the AC of 2-back test were found for the three groups, excluding HV and W/R (1:2). In MS, there was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in RT for subgroups. In addition, in group A, HV had greater effect on the AC of ST (Congruent: P=0.004, η2=0.298; Incongruent: p<0.001, η2=0.511), and HV showed more improvement (p=0.035, η2=0.173) in the RT of MS. In group B, HI demonstrated better result in the RT of MS (p=0.014, η2=0.227). CONCLUSION: HIIT exercise has been shown to have a positive impact on executive function. However, the specific effects can vary depending on the different protocols used. This studys findings suggest that acute HIIT sessions with higher levels of training volume and/or intensity may be associated with greater improvements in executive function, particularly for sedentary young women. These results highlight the importance of considering the specific parameters of HIIT protocols when designing exercise interventions aimed at enhancing executive function. Further research is needed to better understand the optimal HIIT protocols for maximizing the benefits on executive function in different populations. References: 1. Jacob et al., Sports Med, 2023. 2. Hsieh et al., J Sports Sci, 2021.
Read CV LINXUAN GUOECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH15