The Effect of Acute Endurance and Resistance Training with Low and Moderate Intensity on the Executive Functions of Overweight Adolescents’ boys

Purpose:Inactivity and unhealthy lifestyles contribute significantly to obesity and overweight, particularly among children and adolescents. Executive functions, including working memory and selective attention, play a crucial role in cognitive performance. This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of endurance and resistance training at low and moderate intensities on the executive functions of overweight adolescent boys.Method:The present study is a quasi-experimental with a pre-test-post-test design and a control group. A sample of 50 overweight adolescent boys, aged 15 to 17 years, was selected and randomly assigned to four exercise groups and one control group, with 10 subjects in each group. Aerobic exercise involved treadmill running at 45-55% and 60-65% of heart rate reserve, while resistance training included exercises at 40-50% and 60-70% of 1-repetition maximum. Working memory and selective attention were assessed using the N-back and Stroop tests, respectively. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and mixed ANOVA tests.Results:Both resistance and aerobic training significantly improved working memory (P < 0.05), with no significant differences between training groups (P > 0.05). However, neither training modality affected selective attention (P > 0.05).Conclusion:These findings suggest that acute bouts of resistance and endurance training can enhance working memory in overweight adolescent boys. Future research should explore the long-term effects of regular exercise on cognitive function in this population.