Author(s): ALVES ARAUJO DE LIMA JUNIOR, D.R., BOULLOSA, D., ROELANDS, B., FERREIRA, M., FORTES, L., Institution: UNIVERSITÀ DI BOLOGNA, Country: ITALY, Abstract-ID: 2050

INTRODUCTION:
The objective of this study was to analize the repeated effect of high cognitive effort immediately prior resistance training sessions on neuromuscular performance in untrained adults.
METHODS:
We therefore employed a mixed experimental design, with the group as the between-participant factor and time as the within-participant factor. The thirty- four participants were randomly assigned to two parallel groups: high cognitive effort (n = 17) and control (n = 17). The control group maintained seated during 30 min before resistance exercise sessions while the high cognitive effort group made incongruent trials of the Stroop task until subjective mental fatigue was present immediately prior start resistace exercise sessions. Participants attended 45 sessions over fifteen weeks, consisting of three familiarizations, three baseline evaluations, 36 resistance training sessions, and three post-experiment evaluation sessions. Rate of force development (RFD) for isometric mid-thigh pull, half-back squart 1-RM, and countermovement jump (CMJ) was measured before and after the 12-week intervention.
RESULTS:
A significant group x time interaction effect was found for the average RFD 0-250 ms (p<0.05), with greater improvements for the control group than for the high cognitive effort group. There was no effect of group x time interaction for half-back squat 1-RM (p>0.05). Also, there was no effect of group x time interaction for CMJ (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, repeated high cognitive effort immediately prior to resistance training sessions impaired the improvements in RFD, although this did not inhibit the increased performance for half- back squat 1-RM and CMJ in male untrained adults.