Enhancing Selective Attention: A Comparative Study of Moderate-Intensity Exercise and High-Intensity Interval Exercise in Young Adults

Objectives: The principal aim of this study was to determine the impact of moderate-intensity exercise and high-intensity interval exercise on selective attention. Materials and Methods: This experimental study transpired at Khyber Girls Medical College Peshawar from August 2020 to March 2021. Thirty-four young adults were enlisted, participating in two sequential experimental sessions. In the initial session, subjects engaged in a 20-minute session of moderate-intensity exercise, with forward digit span tests administered both pre and post-exercise. Following a one-week interval, the second session involved the same procedures, with participants undertaking high-intensity interval exercise characterized by alternating one-minute intervals of low and high-intensity activities. Selective attention was re-evaluated within 5 minutes of completing the exercise. Participants were then scheduled for a follow-up session one week later, where the same procedures were replicated. SPSS version 20 was used for Data analysis, with statistical significance set at P < 0.05. Shapiro-Wilk test was used to assess the normality of the data. Results: thirty-four participants with a mean age of 21 ± 2 years, a body mass index (BMI) of 23 ± 4 kg/m2, and a mean waist-hip ratio of 0.81± 0.05 were included in the study. After fifteen minutes of high-intensity interval exercise, a noteworthy improvement in selective attention was observed (P = 0.001). Conclusion: A single session of high-intensity interval exercise exhibited greater efficacy in enhancing selective attention as compared to moderate exercise.