Influence of workplace exercise on workers' cognitive performance.

INTRODUCTION: Occupational tasks require physical and cognitive efforts. Within this context, workplace exercise seems to be a promising intervention to improve physical capacity. However, little is known about the influence of workplace exercise on cognitive performance. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of workplace exercise on cognitive performance in administrative office workers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 16 workers who performed workplace exercise training and 14 workers who did not (control group). The assessments were conducted after 3 months of workplace exercise training (stretching exercises, two to three times/week, 10-15 minutes/day). Physical activity level was assessed with the short form of International Physical Activity Questionnaire, while cognitive performance was assessed using computerized versions of Stroop color-word test and Corsi block-tapping test. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups in any Stroop test phases or in Stroop interference (349.3 ± 103.52 vs. 416.0 ± 129.7 ms; 5.37 ± 2.11 vs. 10.12 ± 6.55 %error; p > 0.05). No difference was found in Corsi test sequence of blocks (5.50 ± 0.82 vs. 5.57 ± 0.76 blocks) or in the total score (45.19 ± 15.96 vs. 46.93 ± 15.93 points; p > 0.77). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that 12 weeks of workplace exercise training does not improve the cognitive performance of office workers.

Effects of Self-selected Resistance Training on Physical Fitness and Psychophysiological Responses in Physically Inactive Older Women: A Randomized Controlled Study.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a 12-week self-selected resistance training (SSRT) program on physical fitness and psychophysiological responses among physically inactive older women. We randomly allocated 32 inactive older women (M age = 66.0 years, SD = 3.0) into either an SSRT (n = 16) or control group (n = 16). Participants performed SSRT three times per week over 12 weeks. We assessed maximal isotonic and isokinetic muscle strength, functional capacity, flexibility, cardiorespiratory fitness, and body composition at baseline and after the intervention. Affective responses and perceived exertion were evaluated after each exercise set throughout the training program. The SSRT group significantly improved their maximal muscle strength in all exercises (Cohen's d ranging from 1.4-3.3; all p's < .001), peak torque (knee flexors: d = 1.7; knee extensors: d = 1.6; all p < .001), flexibility (knee flexors: d = 1.7; single hip flexors: d = 1.6; all p < .001; bilateral hip flexors: d = 1.1, p = .001), fat-free mass (d = .9, p = .008), and cardiorespiratory fitness (d = .9, p = .014), compared to the control group. All components of functional capacity improved compared to the control group (Cohen's d ranging from .8 to 5.5; all p's ≤ .001). Participants perceived the exercise training sessions as pleasant and of low to moderate effort. Thus, a 12-week SSRT program was effective at improving physical fitness and inducing feelings of pleasure among inactive older women.

Can interoceptive accuracy influence maximal performance, physiological and perceptual responses to exercise?

Interoception has been shown to influence self-regulation of effort and perceived exertion during exercise. However, whether interoceptive accuracy influences submaximal and maximal exercise performance, as well as psychophysiological responses to it, remains elusive. We assessed poor (n = 15) and good (n = 17) heartbeat perceivers young men accordingly with their interoceptive accuracy. Heart rate variability (HRV) and blood pressure were measured at rest, and peak power, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and HR during a maximal incremental test in a bicycle ergometer. Results: At rest, HR, diastolic and mean blood pressure was lower, and inter-beat intervals were longer for good heartbeat perceivers, with no difference in HRV. During exercise, good and poor heartbeat perceivers exhibited the same submaximal and maximal power, HR, RPE at submaximal intensity, and physical fitness. Interoceptive accuracy does not influence cardiac autonomic modulation perceptual responses and performance at submaximal and maximal intensities during maximal incremental exercise.