COGNITIVE DETERIORATION FOLLOWING STRENGTH TRAINING IN ADOLESCENTS

OBJECTIVE: Studies have demonstrated that regular aerobic exercise improves several aspects of cognition such as attention, executive functions, memory and processing speed.  However, it is not clear how elite-level strength training affects cognitive function during adolescence. The aim of this study was to determine how a single session of strength training affects cognition in highly trained adolescents.

METHODS: Motor functions, ability of sustaining attention and executive functions of 25 elite female weightlifters were evaluated through finger tapping performance, simple visual reaction time (S- VRT), complex visual reaction time (C-VRT), simple recognition visual reaction time (SR-VRT) and complex recognition visual reaction time (CR-VRT) tests. Weightlifters were tested before and after a training session. 

RESULTS: There was a significant increase in mean CR-VRT of weightlifters after training (p<.01). In SR-VRT and CR-VRT tests, rate of false answers increased significantly after training (p<.05). Total number of taps and mean inter-tap intervals did not show any difference among weightlifters before and after training (p>.05). 

CONCLUSION: Adolescent weightlifters’ executive functions are deteriorated following a training session. In future studies, the duration of this deteriorating effect of strength training can be investigated.