High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) Improves Cognitive Function in Adolescents
A recent study investigated the acute effects of a 6-minute bodyweight High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) session on the executive function of 12-13-year-olds in a school setting. The study, involving 42 participants, utilized a crossover design where individuals completed both a HIIT and a control condition. Researchers assessed inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility using tasks such as Flanker, Visual 2-back, and Colour-Shape Switch. The findings indicated that a single HIIT session led to a greater reduction in reaction time on the Visual 2-back task, which measures working memory, without compromising accuracy. Furthermore, cognitive flexibility accuracy remained stable after HIIT, whereas it declined in the control condition. No significant changes were observed in inhibitory control. These results suggest that short bursts of intense physical activity can positively impact specific cognitive functions in adolescents within a real-world educational environment.
