Abstract
Intense exercise promotes long-term gains in cognitive functions. On the other
hand, intense exercise may result in acute effects not clearly determined for
cognitive performance. A condition of stochastic intensity ranging from moderate
to maximal efforts is part of sports like cycling, in which cognitive integrity
is also important for fast decision making and information processing especially
during high-speed performances. In this study we investigate the acute effect of
cycling at intensities corresponding to 60%, 80% and 95%
of the maximal power output (MP) on selective attention, reaction time and
short-term memory in amateur trained cyclists. In this cross sectional study 20
male cyclists performed maximal and submaximal cycling tests under different
exercise intensities. Cognitive measures were conducted before and after
exercise. We found that short duration high intensity cycling (95%)
improves selective attention but increases variability in simple reaction time
responses, without significant effects on short-term memory. The high intensity
exercise improves ability to manage more complex cognitive task especially when
the variability in the task does not increase.
Key words
reaction time - exercise test - cognition - cycling - fatigue
