Key result
Acute hypoxic exposure at FiO2 16% and 14.3% did not alter Stroop color-word test performance, but an acute exercise battery significantly improved Stroop scores and response times across all conditions.
Why the study?
The study was conducted to investigate the effects of two levels of acute hypoxic exposure and exercise compared to normoxia on cognitive function assessed by the Stroop color word test.
Does acute hypoxic exposure combined with exercise reduce executive function in recreationally active adults?
RCT (n=14)
Single-blind (participants blinded to exposure condition)
Randomized crossover order of hypoxic conditions
No
Does acute hypoxic exposure combined with exercise reduce executive function in recreationally active adults?
p-value: p=0.580
Acute normobaric hypoxic exposure (FiO2 16% and 14.3%) does not impair executive function as measured by the Stroop test, whereas an acute exercise bout improves cognitive performance regardless of the hypoxic condition.
Acute exercise boosts Stroop performance in mild hypoxia; extends evidence that physical activity enhances executive function independently of oxygen levels.
International Journal of Exercise Science 15(5): 1481-1491, 2022. To investigate the effects of two levels of acute hypoxic exposure and exercise compared to normoxia on the Stroop color word test. A total of 14 (4 females and 10 males) active participants with a self-reported (mean±SEM) 8.54±1.44 h/week of physical activity, performed a 3-repetition maximum hex/trap bar deadlift, Hand-Release Push-Up, and Leg Tuck events from the Army Combat Fitness Test at normoxia and normobaric hypoxia of fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) of 16% and 14.3%. The Stroop color-word test was administered on a touch screen device before and after the exercise battery, where participants were given congruent (word and ink color matching) and incongruent (non-matching) prompts. Peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate were recorded at pre- and post-exercise. Variables obtained from the Stroop color word test were not influenced as a result of acute hypoxic exposure but did improve after an exercise battery. Peripheral oxygen saturation was greater during normoxia compared to acute hypoxic exposure which indicated a systemic change in oxygenation. The results of the present study indicated that the Stroop color-word test is not influenced by an FiO2 16% or 14.3%, however, exercise did improve Stroop score and response time.
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Jenkins et al. (2022) conducted an RCT in Healthy recreationally active adults (n=14). Acute hypoxic exposure combined with exercise vs. Normoxia was evaluated on Executive function assessed by Stroop color-word test Total Score (p=0.580). Acute hypoxic exposure at FiO2 16% and 14.3% did not alter Stroop color-word test performance, but an acute exercise battery significantly improved Stroop scores and response times across all conditions.
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