Effect of Volume in Resistance Training on Inhibitory Control in Young Adults: A Randomized and Crossover Investigation

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the study is to compare the effect of resistance training volume on inhibitory control in young adults with previous experience in resistance training.Method: All the 27 participants underwent 40-week experiment, divided in three training phases of 8-week duration. A washout period of 8 weeks between each of the training phases was carried out. The participants performed 1, 3, or 5 sets of the same exercises with equalized intensity (loading zones) and rest. Inhibitory control was assessed by the Stroop Test.Results: Interaction effect was found for inhibitory control accuracy [F(5,22) = 56.88, p < 0.01] and mean response time [F(5,22) = 83.02, p < 0.01] for 3 sets (p = 0.01; ES = 0.6) and 5 sets (p = 0.01; ES = 0.8) when compared to 1 set.Conclusion: In conclusion, 1 set of resistance training may provide insufficient volume stimulus for positive adaptation in inhibitory control when compared to 3 or 5 sets.

Work volume is an important variable in determining the degree of inhibitory control improvements following resistance exercise

“…However, they did not have a fixed number of sets and duration of interset rest intervals among the three protocols. The differences in these variables among the resistance exercise protocols may influence the degree of postexercise IC improvements (Fortes et al, 2018), possibly by affecting some systems, including neuromuscular (Jenkins et al, 2015), metabolic (Kraemer et al, 1990), and perceptual systems (Woods, Bridge, Nelson, Risse, & Pincivero, 2004), for increasing neural activity in the brain. In the present study, we examined with the same number of sets and the same duration of interset rest intervals between HV-LRE and HRE.…”

Functional and/or structural brain changes in response to resistance exercises and resistance training lead to cognitive improvements – a systematic review

“…With regard to number of sets, on the behavioral level, it was reported that younger adults performing three or five sets of a resistance exercise showed after a 8-week intervention period greater improvements in inhibitory control (i.e., assessed by accuracy and mean response time in the Stroop test) than younger adults performing one set of the same resistance exercise [363]. Because the abovementioned study did not apply neuroimaging techniques or quantify neurotrophic markers (e.g., BDNF) [363], future investigations are needed to elucidate the underlying neurobiological mechanisms.…”

The Effects of High-intensity Functional Training (HIFT) on Spatial Learning, Visual Pattern Separation and Attention Span in Adolescents

“…Many studies have shown that aerobic exercise improves inhibitory control using the Stroop task in humans (Fortes et al, 2018 ; Tsuk et al, 2019 ). The current study shows that HIFT is also a valid training program that exerts a positive effect on inhibitory control.…”

“…This is an indication that HIFT is a valid and more effective training paradigm compared with HIIT in improving muscle strength. Strength training was shown to improve various cognitive abilities, like working memory and executive function (Cassilhas et al, 2007 ; Gibala et al, 2012 ; Fortes et al, 2018 ; Herold et al, 2019 ; Landrigan et al, 2019 ). It was also shown to increase the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), an important factor for neuronal plasticity and survival (Quiles et al, 2019 ; Mckay et al, 2020 ).…”

“…The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is a brain region that plays a key role in inhibitory control tasks (Miller and Cohen, 2001 ; Munakata et al, 2011 ). Many studies have shown the positive effect of exercise on inhibitory control abilities (Browne et al, 2016 ; Peruyero et al, 2017 ; Tsuk et al, 2019 ), with one study showing a positive effect for a high-volume resistance training program on inhibitory control abilities (Fortes et al, 2018 ). In the current study, we have assessed the effects of HIFT on inhibitory control abilities, using the Stroop test that has been used widely to assess inhibitory control abilities (West and Alain, 2000 ; Zysset et al, 2001 ; Adams and Jarrold, 2009 ).…”