Sprint interval training improves oculomotor planning in high-fit individuals independent of exercise modality
Abstract
A single-bout of aerobic and/or resistance training for durations as brief as 10-min improves executive function across a continuum of aerobically sustainable intensities. The goal of my thesis was to determine whether sprint interval training (SIT) elicits a post-exercise benefit in executive function in a corpus of high-fit individuals (i.e., varsity rowers). SIT sessions entailed 30 s “as hard as you can” efforts, interspersed by 90 s active recovery intervals (i.e., low resistance movement) for a duration of 10-min. Separate SIT sessions were completed via sport- (i.e., rowing ergometer) and non-sport-specific (i.e., cycle ergometer) modalities to determine if a putative SIT executive benefit is related to metabolic or intensity demands. Pre- and post-exercise executive control was measured via the antisaccade task. Pro- and antisaccade post-exercise RTs improved – a result that was independent of exercise modality. Accordingly, results suggest that SIT contributes to a post-exercise benefit in arousal.