Abstract
High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT), such as CrossFit®, integrates high-intensity, multi-joint movements and has been associated with cognitive enhancement. However, the acute effects of HIFT on inhibitory control in trained individuals remain unstudied. PURPOSE: To examine the acute effects of a single bout of HIFT exercise on inhibitory control in healthy young adults with at least six months of CrossFit training experience. METHODS: Seventeen trained individuals (age: 31.9 ± 10.5 years; 8 females) participated in two 15-minute sessions: (1) a HIFT session consisting of 6 CrossFit®-based exercises (burpees, inverted rows, dumbbell push presses, squat jumps, dumbbell snatch, and leg raises) performed in 20-second all-out intervals with 10-second rest periods, and (2) a control session involving passive reading of neutral materials. Sessions were counterbalanced. Inhibitory control was assessed pre- and post-intervention using the Flanker Task. A repeated-measures ANOVA analyzed Response Accuracy (ACC), Reaction Time (RT), and Standard Deviation of RT (SD of RT) across Time (Pre/Post), Intervention (HIFT/Control), and Congruency (Congruent/Incongruent trials). RESULTS: A significant main effect of Congruency was found for ACC (F (1,16) = 25.857, p < .001, η² = .618), with higher accuracy in congruent trials (99.0%) compared to incongruent trials (96.3%). A significant Time × Intervention × Congruency interaction for RT was observed (F (1,16) = 12.360, p = .003, η² = .436). The CrossFit intervention exhibited significantly faster RTs post-intervention, particularly in incongruent trials, while the control intervention demonstrated no significant improvements. The control intervention did not exhibit significant RT changes in both congruent (p = .283) and incongruent trials (p = .231). For SD of RT, a significant main effect of Congruency was found (F(1,16) = 53.773, p < .001, η² = .771), with greater response variability in incongruent trials compared to congruent trials. CrossFit intervention significantly reduced RT variability in incongruent trials (Pre: 142.62 ± 49.56 ms → Post: 127.68 ± 46.32 ms, p < .05), indicating improved response stability post-exercise. No significant changes in RT variability were observed in congruent trials (Pre: 97.05 ± 30.32 ms → Post: 97.26 ± 33.60 ms, n.s.) or in the control group across conditions. CONCLUSIONS: A single bout of CrossFit® exercise significantly enhanced cognitive processing speed and reduced response variability, particularly under high cognitive load (incongruent trials), while maintaining inhibitory control accuracy. These findings suggest that chronic HIFT exercise may optimize cognitive efficiency and response stability in healthy young adults. Further research should investigate the chronic cognitive effects of HIFT and its potential applicability in untrained populations.
Recommended Citation
Wu, Chien-Ting; Valadez, Brianna; Rubalcaba, Amaryllis; Daniel, Julia; Guerra, Gary; and Tai, Yu Lun
(2025)
"Acute CrossFit® Exercise Enhances Cognitive Processing Speed and Stabilizes Response Variability in Trained Individuals,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2:
Iss.
17, Article 129.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss17/129