Cognitive training during exercise improves attention and reduces mental effort in trained athletes 🧠
A new frontier in endurance training?
Effect of Cognitive-Motor Dual-Task Training on Sustained Attention Performance and Neuromuscular Fatigue During Incremental Cycling in Trained Athletes
Study Details
This new study recruited 40 trained athletes who completed 4 x 2 weekly HIIT sessions alongside either…
1️⃣ Cognitive training during low-intensity intervals (CDL)
2️⃣ Cognitive training during high-intensity intervals (CDH)
3️⃣ Cycling alone (control)
Cognitive testing consisted of incremental cycling cognitive tests until reaching task failure 🚴♂️
Key Findings
All groups significantly improved…
⏰ Cognitive endurance time after training
📝 Cognitive test scores
🩸 Pre-frontal cortex oxygenation patterns
However, both cognitive testing groups (CDL + CDH) significantly…
📈 Mitigated rises in central fatigue
⚡️ Reduced mental effort after training
…compared to control.
Conclusion
Implementing routine cognitive training during physical training can mitigate central fatigue and reduce mental effort in challenging scenarios ✅
Reference
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/sms.70178
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