Effects of upright and recumbent cycling on executive function and prefrontal cortex oxygenation in young, healthy, men

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the acute effects of posture (upright vs. recumbent) during moderate-intensity cycle exercise on executive function and prefrontal cortex oxygenation, in young healthy adults.

Methods: Seventeen physically active men (24.6 ± 4.3y) completed two 30-minute submaximal, exercise tests (Conditions: upright and recumbent cycle ergometry). Executive function was assessed using the ‘colour’ and ‘word’ Stroop task, pre- (resting) and post-exercise. Regional oxygen saturation (rSO2) to the prefrontal cortex was continuously monitored using near-infrared spectroscopy.

Results: Significant improvements in executive function (Stroop colour and word tasks) were observed following 30 minutes of exercise, for both upright and recumbent cycling (P < .05). However, there were no differences in executive function between cycling Conditions (P > .05). A significant increase in rSO2 was recorded immediately post-exercise compared to pre-exercise for both Conditions (P < .05), with a trend (P = .06) for higher peak rSO2 following recumbent cycling compared to upright cycling (81.9 ± 6.5 cf. 79.7 ± 9.3%, respectively).

Conclusions: Although submaximal cycling exercise acutely improves cognitive performance and prefrontal oxygenation, changes in cognition are not perceived to be dependent on body posture in young, healthy men.

More information

Identifiers

ORCID for D. Lambrick: orcid.org/0000-0002-0325-6015

Catalogue record

Export record

Altmetrics