The combination of low-intensity resistance exercise and electrical muscle stimulation effectively enhances executive function in men

IF 1.7 4区医学 Q4 PHYSIOLOGY

Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging Pub Date : 2026-06-23 DOI:10.1111/cpf.70075

Kento Dora, Su Yang, I. Wayan Yuuki, Kousei Tachi, Kaito Hashimoto, Teppei Matsumura, Naokazu Miyamoto, Takeshi Hashimoto

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives

Resistance exercise enhances executive function (EF) more effectively at moderate or higher intensities than at low intensity resistance exercise (LRE), probably with increased neural activity and lactate production to meet brain energy demands. Given that LRE remains widely applicable with less perceived exertion, and electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) increases lactate production and neural activation, we investigated whether combining LRE with EMS (LRE-EMS) effectively enhances EF, without increasing perceived exertion.

Design

A crossover randomized study.

Methods

Seventeen young men participated in a crossover randomized study to assess the cognitive effects of LRE alone, EMS alone, and LRE-EMS. The LRE protocol involved knee extensions at 40% one-repetition maximum for 4 sets of 10 repetitions. During the EMS condition, the participants remained seated for 260 s to match the duration of the other conditions, with EMS applied to the lower limb muscles. Subjective perceptions of exertion and fatigue during exercise were recorded.

Results

IC and lactate were measured at baseline, immediately postexercise, and 15 min postexercise. The LRE condition did not significantly increase IC (p = 0.100), whereas LRE-EMS resulted in significant IC improvements immediately and 15 min postexercise (both p < 0.001), with greater lactate increases compared to LRE and EMS. EMS demonstrated significant IC improvement at 15 min postexercise (p = 0.022).

Conclusions

Perceived exertion and fatigue were greater with LRE-EMS compared with LRE and EMS. These findings suggest that LRE combined with EMS and EMS alone are effective strategies for cognitive improvement, but increased perceived exertion still exists.

Abstract Image

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低强度阻力运动和肌肉电刺激的结合有效地增强了男性的执行功能。

目的：与低强度阻力运动（LRE）相比，中等或更高强度的阻力运动更有效地增强执行功能（EF），可能通过增加神经活动和乳酸生成来满足大脑能量需求。鉴于LRE仍然广泛适用于较少的感知运动，肌肉电刺激（EMS）增加乳酸生成和神经激活，我们研究了LRE与EMS （LRE-EMS）联合使用是否能在不增加感知运动的情况下有效增强EF。设计：交叉随机研究。方法：17名年轻男性参与了一项交叉随机研究，以评估LRE单独、EMS单独和LRE-EMS的认知效果。LRE方案包括膝关节伸展，每次最多重复40%，共4组，每组10次。在EMS条件下，参与者保持坐姿260秒，与其他条件下的持续时间相匹配，EMS应用于下肢肌肉。记录运动过程中对劳累和疲劳的主观感觉。结果：在基线、运动后立即和运动后15分钟测量IC和乳酸。LRE条件没有显著增加IC (p = 0.100)，而LRE-EMS在运动后立即和15分钟显著改善IC(均p结论：与LRE和EMS相比，LRE-EMS的感知劳累和疲劳更大。这些发现表明，LRE联合EMS和单独EMS是改善认知的有效策略，但仍然存在感知劳累增加的情况。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging 医学-生理学

CiteScore

3.40

自引率

5.60%

发文量

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging publishes reports on clinical and experimental research pertinent to human physiology in health and disease. The scope of the Journal is very broad, covering all aspects of the regulatory system in the cardiovascular, renal and pulmonary systems with special emphasis on methodological aspects. The focus for the journal is, however, work that has potential clinical relevance. The Journal also features review articles on recent front-line research within these fields of interest. Covered by the major abstracting services including Current Contents and Science Citation Index, Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging plays an important role in providing effective and productive communication among clinical physiologists world-wide.