Effect of Physical Activity Levels on Working Memory of College Students in a State of Mental Fatigue
OBJECTIVE:The objective of this study is to further refine the investigation into the influence of different levels of physical activity on working memory capacity in college students under conditions of mental fatigue.METHODS:The study employed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire(IPAQ)to recruit a sample of healthy college students categorized into three groups based on their levels of physical activity:low,moderate,and high.Each group consisted of 16 participants.The participants'fatigue levels were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale(VAS)before and after the induction of mental fatigue through the Stroop task.The Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory(MFI-20)was utilized to evaluate the participants'fatigue levels.Memory capacity was measured using the Memory Span task,while working memory ability was assessed using the N-back task.RESULTS:Paired sample t-tests revealed a significant difference in VAS scores before and after the induction of mental fatigue,indicating the successful induction of fatigue(95%CI:-40.69 to 29.77,P＜0.001).Significant differences were observed among the groups in the physical fatigue dimension scores(F(2,45)=4.19,P=0.021)and reduced activity dimension scores(F(2,45)=3.71,P=0.032)of the MFI-20.Negative correlations were found between physical activity levels and scores in the physical fatigue dimension(r=-0.392,P=0.006)and reduced activity dimension(r=-0.295,P=0.042).CONCLUSION:The subjective fatigue experienced by college students after engaging in high cognitive load tasks is influenced by their level of physical activity.Sustaining higher levels of physical activity can reduce subjective physical fatigue and decreased activity levels in college students.However,the level of physical activity does not appear to affect working memory ability in college students under conditions of mental fatigue.
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