Abstract
Acute exercise has been shown to enhance cognitive function such as inhibitory control, with aerobic and resistance exercises yielding significant benefits. High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT), such as CrossFit®, combines high-intensity, multi-joint movements and has shown promise in improving working memory. However, its acute effects on inhibitory control remain unclear. PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of a single CrossFit®-based HIFT session on inhibitory control in healthy young adults. METHODS: Eighteen healthy college students (age: 24.2 ± 3.8 years; 9 females) completed two 15-minute sessions: (1) HIFT exercise consisting of six 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 condition involving seated reading of neutral magazines. Both conditions were counterbalanced. Inhibitory control was assessed pre- and post-intervention using the Flanker Task. Multivariate repeated-measures ANOVAs were conducted to analyze Response Accuracy (ACC), Reaction Time (RT), and Response Variability (standard deviation of RT) across Time (pre/post), Treatment (HIFT/control), and Congruency (congruent/incongruent trials). RESULTS: ACC showed a main effect of Congruency, with higher accuracy for congruent trials (99.3 ± 0.002%) compared to incongruent trials (97.3 ± 0.006%). RT analysis revealed marginal main effects of Time (F (1,17) = 4.2, p = 0.055, η² = 0.20) and Congruency (F (1,17) = 140.3, p < 0.001, η² = 0.89), with shorter RTs observed for post-intervention trials (525.5 ± 10.9 ms) compared to pre-intervention trials (539.4 ± 11.1 ms), and shorter RTs for congruent trials (476.9 ± 11.8 ms) compared to incongruent trials (587.9 ± 11.0 ms). SD of RT showed a main effect of Congruency, with less response variability for congruent trials (103.7 ± 9.4 ms) compared to incongruent trials (129.2 ± 8.8ms). Results indicate no significant acute effects of HIFT on inhibitory control. CONCLUSIONS: A single bout of CrossFit® exercise did not significantly improve inhibitory control in healthy young adults. While HIFT may offer other physical and cognitive benefits, these findings suggest that acute cognitive enhancements might require different exercise modalities or longer-term interventions. Future studies should investigate the chronic effects of HIFT on cognitive performance.
Recommended Citation
Melendez, Sara; Tai, Yu Lun; Abshire, Jeremy; Wu, Chien Ting; and Guerra, Gary
(2025)
"A Single Bout of CrossFit® Exercise May Not Significantly Affect Inhibitory Control,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2:
Iss.
17, Article 78.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss17/78
