Effects of a concurrent maximum performance aerobic exercise test and cognitive task on physical and cognitive performance and effort

ABSTRACT

Theoretical models of the effect of aerobic activity on concurrent cognitive tasks predict both impairments and improvements depending on the specific characteristics of the cognitive task. It can be assumed that both aerobic and cognitive tasks share neural resources of limited capacity (such as self-control) or that they interact by confliction or facilitation of brain activation. Detrimental effects are thus expected for cognitive tasks requiring self-control or conflicting brain activation. Effects of cognitive tasks on simultaneous aerobic activity have rarely been investigated, but predictions can be made by adaptations of the same theoretical models. The predicted effects should be enhanced at higher intensities due to increasing drains of neural resources and stronger brain activations. The current study aimed to investigate the interaction of aerobic and cognitive tasks under increasing and maximum physical load. Fifty participants (31 men, 19 women, mean age 22.8 ± 2.6 years) performed two maximum performance cycling tests, one in combination with mental rotation tasks (dual-task condition) and one without a cognitive task (control condition). Cognitive (reaction time, accuracy) and physical (power, cadence) performance, as well as objective (heart rate) and subjective (cognitive and physical ratings of perceived exertion) effort, were measured during the respective tests. The results showed increased cognitive effort during increased physical load and a focus on speed rather than accuracy, which can be interpreted in support of the models. Physical performance, however, could be upheld without increased physiological effort. The physical results contradict the suspected impairment predicted by the adaptations of the theoretical models.

KEYWORDS:

• Aerobic exercise
• cycling
• maximum performance
• mental rotation
• spatial cognition

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Declaration of competing interests

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Data availability statement

All material, data, and code for this study is available at the associated GitHub repository https://github.com/LeonardoJost/MRStepTest and can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7462019 .

Preregistration

The study was preregistered at https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/RUVSF.

Notes

1 In the preregistration, we only noted that maximum power output was calculated in the described way and without accounting for reaching the RPE measurements.

2 In the preregistration, we only mentioned that we would start this process with a maximal model without further specification.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.