Fitlight-enhanced HIIT significantly reduced reaction time (d=0.74) and movement time (d=0.55) compared to standard HIIT in healthy young adults, without increasing physiological load.
RCT (n=24)
Randomized crossover
No
Does Fitlight-enhanced HIIT improve neuromotor and cognitive outcomes without significantly altering cardiovascular or subjective training load in healthy young adults?
Integrating Fitlight visual feedback into HIIT enhances neuromotor speed and executive function without increasing physiological load.
Standardized Mean Difference: 0.74
Absolute Event Rate: 0.33% vs 0.36%
p-value: p=0.001
Abstract Aim. This study aimed to investigate the effects of integrating Fitlight visual feedback into high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on training load, reaction performance, and executive cognitive function in healthy young adults. It was hypothesized that Fitlight-enhanced HIIT would improve neuromotor and cognitive outcomes without significantly altering cardiovascular or subjective training load Material and method . Twenty -four physically active participants (12 males, 12 females; aged 19 - 23 years) completed two HIIT sessions in a randomized crossover design: a control session (standard HIIT) and an experimental session (HIIT augmented with Fitlight visual cues) Each session consisted of eight 30-second maximal effort intervals with 30 seconds of rest. Training load was monitored using smartwatch heart rate recordings and Borg CR-10 rate of perceived exertion (RPE). Performance metrics included Fitlight-derived reaction time (RT) and movement time (MT). Cognitive function was assessed pre- and post-intervention using the Go/No-Go test (inhibitory control) and Trail Making Test-B (TMT-B, executive function). Results . Fitlight-enhanced HIIT significantly reduced RT (0.36 to 0.33 s, p = 0.001, d = 0.74) and MT (1.20 to 1.12 s, p = 0.013, d = 0.55), and improved TMT-B completion time (75.5 to 69.9 s, p = 0.048, d = 0.43). No significant differences were observed for Go/No-Go accuracy, heart rate, or RPE. Conclusions. These findings indicate that Fitlight-integrated HIIT enhances neuromotor speed and executive function without increasing physiological load, supporting its utility as a time-efficient training modality in both athletic and cognitive-performance contexts.
Alecu et al. (Mon,) conducted a rct in Healthy, physically active individuals (n=24). Fitlight-enhanced HIIT vs. Standard HIIT was evaluated on Reaction time (d = 0.74, p=0.001). Fitlight-enhanced HIIT significantly reduced reaction time (d=0.74) and movement time (d=0.55) compared to standard HIIT in healthy young adults, without increasing physiological load.