https://dx.doi.org/10.34051/d/2024.3">
 

Document Type

Data Set

Publication Date

2024

Keywords

circuit training, executive function, information processing, cognition, reaction time, movement time, response time

Department

Kinesiology

Description or Abstract

The significance of exercise in promoting health and fitness cannot be overstated. In addition, various exercise modes can facilitate information processing and enhance cognition. The present study investigated the role of two volumes of circuit training using resistance exercise (Low Volume [LV-CTRE] of approximately 11 min and Higher Volume [HV-CTRE] of approximately 23 min) on the speed of information processing and executive function. Thirty adult male and female volunteers (18, male; 12, female) between the ages of 18-25 (mean [+ standard deviation]: 22.37 +2.06) were randomly recruited and assigned to either a non-exercise-control (CON), an LV-CTRE, or an HV-CTRE group. Participants took part in timed single-choice (SC), multichoice (MC), and dual-task (DT) response-time tasks to ascertain information processing, and the Trail Making Test (TMT) to ascertain executive functioning. Information processing was analyzed by fractionating total response time (RPT) into reaction time (RT), and movement (MT) times. Measurements were taken pre-exercise, 1 min (immediately), and 20 min (short-term) postexercise.Data were analyzed using separate 3 (Group [volume]) x 3 (Test Trial Block [pre-exercise, 1 min postexercise, 20 min postexercise]) repeated measures ANOVA. Data analyses for information processing indicated (1) participants in LV- and HV-CTRE conditions displayed decreased RT and RPT times on MC (p < 0.001; p < 0.01, respectively) and DT (p < 0.05, p < 0.05, respectively) tasks but not on the SC task and these improvements were observed up to 20 min postexercise. Data analysis for TMT indicated that participants in the HV-CTRE condition, and not the LV-CTRE condition, showed improved executive function scores, and these improvements were observed up to 20 min postexercise. The decrease in RT and not MT observed on MC and DT tasks in both circuit-training group participants indicated that improvements in the speed of completing the response time tasks were more the result of increased speed of cortical processing than speed of movement. Improvement in TMT scores found in HV-CTRE group participants indicated that the ‘physiological stress’ evoked from the higher volume exercise condition, and not from the lower volume exercise condition (LV-CTRE), was sufficient to improve executive functioning.

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