Author(s): LIGEZA, T., REMISZEWSKI, A., RAJTAR, G., KOMAREK, Z., PALKA, T., MACIEJCZYK, M., Institution: JAGIELLONIAN UNIVERSITY, Country: POLAND, Abstract-ID: 1029

Purpose:
Regular physical exercise may enhance cognitive functions, particularly inhibitory control, yet its effects in healthy but sedentary young adults remain understudied. This study examined how a structured 12-week cardiovascular exercise intervention influences behavioral and neuroelectric markers of inhibitory control in this population.

Methods:
Sedentary young adults were randomized into an exercise group (n = 32) or a passive control group (n = 30). The intervention consisted of 6 weeks of moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MCE) followed by 6 weeks of moderate- to high-intensity interval exercise (MHIE) on a cycling ergometer. Inhibitory control was assessed at baseline (pre-test), mid-intervention (mid-test), and post-intervention (post-test) using a modified flanker task with EEG recordings. Key outcomes included response time (RT) and event-related potentials (N2 and P3b components).

Results:
The exercise group showed progressive RT reductions in incongruent trials at all time points (pre-to-mid, mid-to-post, pre-to-post) without accuracy loss. The control group exhibited RT reductions only from pre- to post-test but with decreased accuracy. EEG data revealed that the exercise group demonstrated decreased N2 amplitudes and faster P3b latencies from mid- to post-test during incongruent trials, indicating improved neural efficiency. In contrast, the control group showed increased N2 amplitudes during congruent trials at pre-to-mid and pre-to-post assessments.

Conclusions:
A structured cardiovascular exercise program combining MCE and MHIE enhances both behavioral and neuroelectric markers of inhibitory control in sedentary young adults. These findings suggest that tailored exercise programs can serve as an effective, accessible strategy for improving cognitive function in populations at risk of sedentary-related cognitive decline.