Acute effects of different resistance training intensities on creative thinking in university students

Background Physical activity has been shown to enhance creative thinking; however, existing research has primarily focused on aerobic exercise, and evidence regarding the acute effects of different resistance training intensities on creative thinking remains limited. Methods Using a within-subjects design, 30 university students completed resistance training sessions at 40%, 60%, and 80% one-repetition maximum (1RM). Creative performance was assessed immediately after exercise using the Alternate Uses Test (AUT), measuring fluency, flexibility, and novelty. Results Exercise intensity significantly influenced all three creativity indicators. Moderate-intensity resistance training (60% 1RM) resulted in significantly greater fluency, flexibility, and novelty scores compared with both low- (40% 1RM) and high-intensity (80% 1RM) conditions. Conclusions Post-exercise creative performance differed across the three tested resistance-training intensities, with moderate loads showing the most favorable pattern. These findings suggest that, among the three tested conditions, moderate-intensity resistance training was associated with the highest post-exercise creative performance in university students.