Apunts Med Esport.

2019;54(204):113---117

www.apunts/org

ORIGINAL

Effect of HIIT on cognitive and physical performance

Khatija Bahdur a,∗ , Robin Gilchrist a , Gareth Park a , Lauren Nina a , Ricard Pruna b

a
Nelson Mandela University Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa
b
FC Barcelona Medical Services, Barcelona, Spain

Received 29 April 2019; accepted 11 July 2019

Available online 14 November 2019

KEYWORDS Abstract There is a lot of evidence indicating that exercise has a short-term positive effect on
HIIT; cognitive performance. Results have found contrasting findings as whether what is the optimal
Cognition; intensity to maximise this effect. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has increased as a choice
Reaction time; for both sport and health benefits. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of
Counter-movement HIIT on physical, reaction time and cognitive performance. Forty-four recreationally active uni-
jump versity students (aged 18---25 years) performed the following tests before and immediately after
an acute high-intensity interval training bout: the Victoria Stroop test, Reaction Time test and
Countermovement Jump test. A dependent sample t-test was conducted with statistical signif-
icance set at p ≤ 0.05. The results of the study was that there were significant improvements
in Stroop test timing (p = 0.001) and a significant decrease in the number of errors (p = 0.040).
Counter movement jump performance decreased slightly but not significantly (P = 0.170). Per-
formance in both reaction time tests improved but not significantly (visual: p = 0.100; auditory:
p = 0.16) To conclude, researchers found that HIIT had a positive effect on cognitive performance
without significantly compromising physical performance in the short-term.
© 2019 FUTBOL CLUB BARCELONA. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

PALABRAS CLAVE Efecto de HIIT en el rendimiento cognitivo y físico

HIIT;
Cognición; Resumen Hay muchas pruebas que indican que el ejercicio tiene un efecto positivo a corto
Tiempo de reacción; plazo sobre el rendimiento cognitivo. Los resultados han encontrado hallazgos contrastantes
Salto de sobre cuál es la intensidad óptima para maximizar este efecto. El entrenamiento a intervalos
contramovimiento de alta intensidad (HIIT, por sus siglas en inglés) ha aumentado como una opción tanto para
los beneficios deportivos como para la salud. El propósito de este estudio fue determinar los
efectos del HIIT en el tiempo de reacción físico y el rendimiento cognitivo. Cuarenta y cuatro
estudiantes universitarios (de 18 a 25 años de edad) realizaron las siguientes pruebas antes e
inmediatamente después de un episodio agudo de entrenamiento a intervalos de alta intensi-
dad: la prueba Victoria Stroop, la prueba Reaction Time y la prueba Countermovement Jump.

∗ Corresponding author.
E-mail address: [email protected] (K. Bahdur).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apunts.2019.07.001
1886-6581/© 2019 FUTBOL CLUB BARCELONA. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.
114 K. Bahdur et al.

Se llevó a cabo una prueba t de muestra dependiente con significación estadística establecida
en p ≤ 0.05. Los resultados del estudio fueron que hubo mejoras significativas en el tiempo
de la prueba de Stroop (p = 0.001) y una disminución significativa en el número de errores
(p = 0.040). El rendimiento del salto de contramovimiento disminuyó ligeramente pero no sig-
nificativamente (P = 0,170). El rendimiento en ambas pruebas de tiempo de reacción mejoró
pero no significativamente (visual: p = 0,100; auditivo: p = 0,16). Para concluir, los investigadores
encontraron que el HIIT tuvo un efecto positivo sobre el rendimiento cognitivo sin comprometer
significativamente el rendimiento físico a corto plazo.
© 2019 FUTBOL CLUB BARCELONA. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. Todos los derechos
reservados.

Introduction Individual Value Plot of VST %differe, CMJ %

differ, ART %differe, ...
100

Exercise has long been associated with cognitive perfor-

0
mance with several studies finding that fitter people perform
better in cognitive tasks. This highlights the association

Data
between exercise and long-term cognitive impact. Findings -100
relating to the physiological changes that occur in response
to exercise-induced fatigue and its effects on cognitive func-
-200
tion and physical performance are contradictory.1 Moderate
intensity continuous aerobic exercise also produces better
improved immediate speed processing, selective attention, -300

aspects of inhibitory control, short term memory and selec- VST %

difference
CMJ %
difference
ART %
difference
VRT %
difference
tive attention.2---5
Intensity seems to have an inverted-U relationship with Figure 1 Individual value plot of VST.
cognition function. Moderate aerobic exercise increases cog-
nitive but the evidence indicates that anaerobic activity
close to or at 100% VO2 max decreases cognitive ability, how-
ever the extent to which decreases occur varies n different
studies.2,6
However exercise physiologists have been suggesting
high-intensity interval training (HIIT) as an alternative for
Material and methods
both health and sports benefits. HIIT has greater effects on
The study was based on a quasi-experimental one group
cardiovascular health, metabolic health and aerobic fitness
pre-post test design. All research methods were in accor-
than continuous moderate intensity training. Training ses-
dance with the Declaration of Helsinki. A total of 44
sions are also less time consuming. Within a sports context
(male; n = 25; female = 19) recreationally active university
many team sports are intermittent in nature incorporat-
students, recruited through convenience, began by per-
ing high intensity actions and movements combined with
forming three pre-tests, namely a cognitive (Victoria Stroop
low intensity periods. HIIT is more likely to induce higher
test), physical (countermovement jump test) and simple
short-term fatigue levels and if this is more detrimental to
auditory and visual reaction time test. The aforemen-
cognitive function will impact sports performance.6 Within a
tioned tests were conducted in random order. To avoid
sports context cognitive performance must be accompanied
any learning effect, participants first performed a learn-
by the physical action as players are expected to be atten-
ing trial prior to the test. A maximum of three participants
tive, perceive stimuli, process the information and then act
were tested at the same time. Biographical question-
as quick and as accurately as possible. This must continue
naires including activity level and sport played was also
for the full duration of any competition.7,8 It is also likely
recorded.
that intense exercise does not have the same effect on all
Once all three pre-tests had been completed, the par-
cognitive skills (Figs. 1---5).
ticipants commenced with a standardised HIIT session in
The aim of this study was to determine the effects
order to induce fatigue. This exercise-induced fatigue
of fatigue following HIIT on physical, reaction time
was measured by the attainment of a subjective rating
and cognitive performance in university students. It was
greater than 18 on the Borg Rating of Perceived Exer-
hypothesised that physical, reaction time and cognitive
tion (RPE) 6---20 Scale (Borg, 1982). Immediately following
performances would decrease due to the HIIT induced
the HIIT session, participants performed the same three
fatigue.
tests.
Effect of HIIT on cognitive and physical performance 115

Interval Plot of VRT Pre-test, VRT Post-test Interval Plot of VST Time Pre-test, VST Time post-test
95% CI for the Mean 95% CI for the Mean
0.34 60

58
0.33
56

Data
0.32
Data

54
0.31
52

0.30 50

0.29 48

46
0.28
VST Time Pre-test VST Time post-test
Individual standard deviations were used to calculate the intervals.
VRT Pre-test VRT Post-test
Individual standard deviations were used to calculate the intervals.

Figure 5 Interval plot of VST time pre-test, VST time post-

Figure 2 Interval plot of VRT pre-test, VRT post-test. test.

Results
Interval Plot of ART Pre-test, ART post-test
95% CI for the Mean Significant improvements were found in the Victoria stroop
test results with both the number of errors and reac-
0.41

0.40
tion times improving. Improvements in auditory and visual
0.39
response time were not significant. Countermovement jump
0.38 (CMJ) performances decreased, but these changes were not
Data

0.37 significant (Table 1).

0.36 As mentioned above, significant improvements were seen
0.35 in cognitive processing time, yet when the number of
0.34 errors acquired during the cognitive processing before and
0.33
immediately following HIIT were compared, an improve-
0.32
ART Pre-test ART post-test
ment was seen. This observation does not concur with the
Individual standard deviations were used to calculate the intervals. speed-accuracy trade off since speed improved without the
expected change in accuracy.
Figure 3 Interval plot of ART pre-test, Art post-test.
Discussion

Interval Plot of CMJ Pre-test, CMJ Post-test This study was divided into three components. The cognitive
95% CI for the Mean
test where number of errors and time it took for the test
46
were recorded, the CMJ which looked at changes in physical
45
performance and the reaction time test which incorporated
44
both the perceptual-cognitive and a physical action. The
43
only significant improvements was in the cognitive test.
Data

42
The results of the Stroop test were similar to the find-
41
ings of Alves et al. (2014) who also found improvements in
40
the Stroop test following HIIT. The unexpected result was
39
that even though speed improved in the post test, it did
38

37
not compromise accuracy of the results. In fact in this study
CMJ Pre-test CMJ Post-test accuracy also improved significantly.
Individual standard deviations were used to calculate the intervals.
Contrasting results found gradual improvements in the
reaction time (as assessed by an audio-visual five-choice
Figure 4 Interval plot of CMJ pre-test, CMJ post-test. reaction task) when young athletes exercised up to approxi-
mately 75% of their VO2 peak. Thereafter, the reaction time
impaired rapidly, suggesting that intensity seems to play a
role in the effects of an acute exercise session on some
aspects of cognitive performance.9
Statistical analysis The findings of this study were similar to one that found
no changes in reaction time in soccer players who under
To obtain the objectives stated within this study, the quan- 8 min of HIIT.11 The sample size in this study was small with
titative analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel® and only 8 participants which could have impacted the results.
Minitab® 18 for the purpose of descriptive and inferential sta- It has been demonstrated that physically active per-
tistical analyses. When comparing the pre- and post-tests, sons have quicker reaction times than sedentary persons.
the use of t-tests were implemented. Statistical significance Moreover, well-trained athletes were reported to be more
was set at p ≤ 0.05. capable to maintain their psychomotor skill during fatiguing
116 K. Bahdur et al.

Table 1 Descriptive statistics.

Variable Mean ± Standard deviation p-Value Percent difference (%)

VST (sec) Pre-test 56.52 ± 11.72 0.001** 11.71%

Post-test 49.20 ± 8.89
VST accuracy Pre-test 1.91 ± 2.07 0.04*
(No. of errors) Post-test 1.22 ± 1.13
CMJ (cm) Pre-test 44.5 ± 12.11 0.17 2%
Post-test 43.52 ± 12.15
Auditory reaction (sec) Pre-test 0.38 ± 0.11 0.16 2%
Post-test 0.35 ± 0.08
Visual reaction (sec) Pre-test 0.32 ± 0.07 0.1 3%
Post-test 0.30 ± 0.07
*p < 0.05.
**p < 0.01.

exercise than their less-trained counterparts.9 With this resulting in the depletion of adenosine triphosphate phos-
being said, fitness levels of the participants were not con- phocreatine (ATP-PC) stores in the muscles which coincides
sidered in terms of the scope of this study and consequently with an increase in inorganic phosphate, hydrogen (H+) ion
could have been a possible limitation of the study. All accumulation, lactate formation, and a decrease in pH.
participants were recreationally active. The aforementioned physiological mechanisms have been
The results in the reaction time test differed slightly from related to the development of fatigue and a decline in power
the findings of Kamijo et al.15 They compared 20 min sessions output.13
at different exercise intensities and looked at the impact on The exact mechanism explaining the links between cog-
cognitive performance. Following the heavy intensity ses- nition and exercise is not yet fully understood. Elevated
sion they found significantly quicker reaction times when cerebral blood flow combined with increased levels of BDNF
compared to baseline tests and no significant difference in and catecholamines are could to contribute to increased
number of errors. The reaction time test used in that study cognitive function following exercise.2 However, one study
was the flanker task. The current study found slight improve- found no relationship between cerebral blood flow and
ments in the reaction time using both visual and auditory cognitive performance following exercise Aerobic exercise
stimuli but the difference was not significant. increases arousal level and activates specific cortical areas.
A simple reaction time test was used for this study, Increased cerebral blood flow was found to be independent
however people often perform motor tasks in combination of improved performance in the strop test but factors such as
with cognitive tasks. For this study it may have been more cerebral neural activation and metabolism, increased psy-
suited to use a choice reaction time dual test illustrating the chological responses, increased neural activity in the brain,
effects of interference when performing a fatiguing motor increased left-dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activity could
task (particularly at higher intensities) in combination with all contribute to the acute effects on cognition follow-
a cognitive task. ing exercise. HIIT causes higher increases in psychological
Contrary to what the researchers of this particular response than moderate activities however Tsukamoto14
study hypothesised, countermovement jump performances found no difference in cognitive repose following mod-
did decrease following an acute bout of HIIT, but these erate and HIIT sessions. This study compared cognitive
changes were not significant (p > 0.05). Although there is performance at different intervals post exercise and found
not much literature pertaining to the effects of HIIT on improvements in both the moderate and HIIT groups. The
physical performance, specifically countermovement jump effects however, were longer lasting in the HIIT group which
performance, Watkins et al.12 did find that vertical jump could be related to sustained higher than baseline arousal
height decreased post-workout following resistance training levels in the HIIT group beyond 20 min when the moderate
at approximately 80% of one-repetition maximum. Vertical group had returned to pre-exercise levels.
jump is widely used as a measure of lower body power, All the evidence indicates that activity does have a pos-
and has been used in post-match studies to demonstrate itive effect on acute cognitive performance. There is no
fatigue levels. Considering that the HIIT session used in this consensus on how different durations, intensity and type of
study mainly compromised of lower body exercises, mus- exercise affects cognitive performance, and more research
cular fatigue could have affected the ability to voluntarily must be done to identify how long cognitive improvements
activate muscle fibres, resulting in a decrease in maximum last. Reasons for contrasting results from different exercise
voluntary strength, power and work capacity.12 intensities could be due to variation in fatigue levels and
Performance decrements occurred during a jumping test the mechanism of fatigue. Fatigue and its exact courses
is likely as a result of neuromuscular fatigue.14 This may and effects is still not clearly understood with different
be as a result of the relevant energy systems employed in theories existing. It is likely that fatigue is due to a combina-
the VJ test. Energy for extremely short high-intensity exer- tion of physical and central mechanism. Changes in central
cise (less than 10 s) is supplied by anaerobic metabolism, commands may result. Acute impairment in performance
Effect of HIIT on cognitive and physical performance 117

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