Comparing the Effects of Resistance Training and Aerobic Exercise With Low and Moderate Intensities on Working Memory and Selective Attention of Inactive Young Girls

Background and Purpose: In recent years, new approaches such as physical activity hold promise as non-pharmacological interventions that have gained popularity in improving information processing and cognition. Besides examining the positive effect of long-term activities, researchers have recently noticed the advantages of one session of physical activity on cognitive performance. Considering the importance of this subject, the present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of one session of aerobic and resistance training with low and moderate intensity on working memory and selective attention of young girls. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study, with a pre-test and post-test design, was conducted in ۲۰۱۹-۲۰۲۰. A total of ۱۶ women (age range of ۲۵-۳۰ years old) were selected by the available sampling and participated in the training sessions of aerobic exercise (with low intensity of ۴۵%-۵۵% and moderate intensity of ۶۰%-۶۵% of heart rate reserve) and resistance training (low intensity with ۴۰%-۵۰% of one repetition maximum (۱RM) and moderate intensity with ۶۰%-۷۰% of ۱RM) in the counterbalance method. The Stroop and n-back tests were measured in the pre-test and post-test. The study was conducted on the subjects sitting at the table, and the material’s content was psychologically neutral. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used for statistical analysis of data.  Results: Short-term aerobic and resistance exercise with low and moderate intensity positively and significantly affects working memory (P≤۰.۰۵). However, no significant difference was found between training groups in working memory (P≥۰.۰۵). Also, the findings showed that physical activity does not significantly affect selective attention (P≥۰.۰۵).  Conclusion: One session of aerobic and resistance exercise appears to positively affect working memory, but it does not significantly affect selective attention. Thus, it can be said that the mechanisms involved in improving working memory and selective attention are probably different.

Keywords:

Executive functions , Working memory , Selective attention , Aerobic exercise , Resistance exercise