Effects of different modalities of acute exercise on inhibitory function in overweight individuals——a behavioral and event-related potential-based study
Objective To explore the effects of acute high-intensity interval exercise(HIIE)and acute continuous moderate-intensity aerobic exercise(CMIAE)on conflict inhibition function in over-weight individuals.Methods A within-subject design was adopted to study overweight individuals(n=28).They were recorded changes in brain activity during a cognitive task(Flanker task)using behavior-al measurements and event-related potential(ERP)techniques,and the effects of acute HIIE and CMI-AE on the brain activity and conflict inhibition were compared.Results 1)Flanker task P3 amplitude was significantly higher in the acute CMIAE condition compared to the quiet control condition and acute HIIE(P<0.01),with no significant difference in response time compared to the quiet control con-dition(P>0.05).2)Flanker task response time was significantly shorter in the acute HIIE condition compared to the quiet control condition and acute CMIAE(P<0.05),without significant difference in the P3 amplitude compared to the latter conditions(P>0.05).3)No significant was found in the main effect of motor condition on Flanker task correctness(P>0.05).Conclusions Acute HIIE and acute CMI-AE exercise promote conflict inhibition in overweight individuals with different behavioural and neuro-physiological performance,as the former enhances the arousal level,while the latter accelerates the rate of cognitive refreshing,indicating different regulating mechanisms.Moreover,with longer duration of the HIIE protocol than the quiet control condition in this study,it is possible that acute HIIE may be a more time-saving and effective way of exercise to promote conflict inhibition in overweight individ-uals.