Heart rate during moderate exercise and attention among adolescents: An experimental study.

Background: Existing studies on the effects of physical activity on cognitive function have predominantly focused on pre- or post-exercise effects, leaving a gap in understanding the immediate cognitive impacts during physical exertion. Understanding cognitive performance during activity could have significant implications for improving productivity and therapeutic strategies.

Methods: This study examined the relationship between heart rate and cognitive performance, specifically attention, using the D2 attention test among 32 adolescents aged 12-18 years. Participants underwent attention assessments at rest and while moving at target heart rates of 100 bpm, 120 bpm, and 140 bpm. The influence of body mass index (BMI) and sleep quality on attention has been analysed too.

Results: A significant positive correlation between heart rate and attention was observed (r = 0.39, P < .005), indicating enhanced cognitive performance with increased heart rate. Furthermore, a significant negative correlation was found between BMI and attention (r = -0.37, P = .039) and a significant positive correlation was found between sleep quality and attention (r = 0.66, P = .014).

Conclusion: These findings suggest that moderate physical activity can enhance attention, which could inform the design of educational, therapeutic, and occupational strategies. Future research should explore the generalizability of these effects across different cognitive domains, age groups, and settings.