Research article - (2021)20, 391 - 397
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2021.391
Acute Effects of High-intensity Resistance Exercise on Cognitive Function
John Paul V. Anders1,2, William J. Kraemer1,, Robert U. Newton3, Emily M. Post4, Lydia K. Caldwell5, Matthew K. Beeler6, William H. DuPont7, Emily R. Martini1, Jeff S. Volek1, Keijo Häkkinen8, Carl M. Maresh1, Scott M. Hayes9,10
1Department of Human Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
10Chronic Brain Injury Initiative, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
2Department of Education and Human Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
3Exercise Medicine Research Institute, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup WA 6027, Australia
4Exercise Science Department, Ohio Dominican, Columbus, Ohio, USA
5Applied Physiology Laboratory, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
6Department of Exercise Science, Hastings College, Hastings, NE, USA
7Department of Biomedical Sciences, Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT, USA
8Department of Biology of Physical Activity & Neuromuscular Research Center, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
9Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA

William J. Kraemer
✉ Ph.D. Professor, Department of Human Sciences, 305 Annie & John Glenn Ave Office A054 PAES Bldg., The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
Email: drwilliamkraemer@gmail.com
Received: 07-03-2021 -- Accepted: 22-04-2021
Published (online): 03-05-2021
ABSTRACT

The purpose of the present study was to examine the influence of an acute bout of high-intensity resistance exercise on measures of cognitive function. Ten men (Mean ± SD: age = 24.4 ± 3.2 yrs; body mass = 85.7 ± 11.8 kg; height = 1.78 ± 0.08 m; 1 repetition maximum (1RM) = 139.0 ± 24.1 kg) gave informed consent and performed a high-intensity 6 sets of 10 repetitions of barbell back squat exercise at 80% 1RM with 2 minutes rest between sets. The Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM) was completed to assess various cognitive domains during the familiarization period, immediately before, and immediately after the high-intensity resistance exercise bout. The repeated measures ANOVAs for throughput scores (r·m-1) demonstrated significant mean differences for the Mathematical Processing task (MTH; p < 0.001, η2p = 0.625) where post hoc pairwise comparisons demonstrated that the post-fatigue throughput (32.0 ± 8.8 r·m-1) was significantly greater than the pre-fatigue (23.8 ± 7.4 r·m-1, p = 0.003, d = 1.01) and the familiarization throughput (26.4 ± 5.3 r·m-1, p = 0.024, d = 0.77). The Coded Substitution-Delay task also demonstrated significant mean differences (CDD; p = 0.027, η2p = 0.394) with post hoc pairwise comparisons demonstrating that the post-fatigue throughput (49.3 ± 14.4 r·m-1) was significantly less than the pre-fatigue throughput (63.2 ± 9.6 r·m-1, p = 0.011, d = 1.14). The repeated measures ANOVAs for reaction time (ms) demonstrated significant mean differences for MTH (p < 0.001, η2p = 0.624) where post hoc pairwise comparisons demonstrated that the post-fatigue reaction time (1885.2 ± 582.8 ms) was significantly less than the pre-fatigue (2518.2 ± 884.8 ms, p = 0.005, d = 0.85) and familiarization (2253.7 ± 567.6 ms, p = 0.009, d = 0.64) reaction times. The Go/No-Go task demonstrated significant mean differences (GNG; p = 0.031, η2p = 0.320) with post hoc pairwise comparisons demonstrating that the post-fatigue (285.9 ± 16.3 ms) was significantly less than the pre-fatigue (298.5 ± 12.1 ms, p = 0.006, d = 0.88) reaction times. High-intensity resistance exercise may elicit domain-specific influences on cognitive function, characterized by the facilitation of simple cognitive tasks and impairments of complex cognitive tasks.
Key words: Muscle fatigue, automated neuropsychological assessment metrics, back squat, exercise stress

Key Points
  • High-intensity squat resistance exercise may elicit domain-specific influences on cognitive function.
  • Tasks associated with information processing and response inhibition was exhibited improvement for simple cognitive tasks.
  • Complex cognitive associated with memory and recall exhibited decrements and impairments following the high-intensity back squat protocol.
  • Understanding changes in cognition under extreme physical stress is important for interpretation of physiological influences.








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Acute Effects of High-intensity Resistance Exercise on Cognitive Function
John Paul V. Anders, William J. Kraemer, Robert U. Newton, Emily M. Post, Lydia K. Caldwell, Matthew K. Beeler, William H. DuPont, Emily R. Martini, Jeff S. Volek, Keijo Häkkinen, Carl M. Maresh, Scott M. Hayes
2021(20), 391 - 397.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2021.391