Acute Concurrent Exercise Improves Inhibitory Control and Its Non-Mediation Role of Lactate: An Event-Related Potential Study

Abstract

Background: Concurrent exercise (CE), an emerging exercise modality characterized by sequential bouts of aerobic (AE) and resistance exercise (RE), has demonstrated acute benefits on executive functions (EFs) and neuroelectric P3 amplitudes. However, the effect of acute CE on inhibitory control, a sub-component of EFs, and P3 amplitudes remains inconclusive. Moreover, exploring the mechanisms underlying the effects of acute exercise on EFs contributes to scientific comprehension, with lactate recognized as a crucial candidate positively correlated with EFs. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effects of acute CE on inhibitory control via behavioral and event-related potential approaches and to examine its potential mediational role on lactate. Methods: Seventy-eight adults (M_age = 22.95, SD = 1.75 years) were randomly assigned to either a CE, AE, or control (CON) group. Participants in the CE group engaged in 12-minutes of AE (40%–59% of heart rate reserve [HRR]) coupled with 13-minutes of RE (1 set, with 75% of 10-repetition maximum, and 12 repetitions of 8 movements). The AE group participated in 25 minutes of AE (40%–59% HRR). Prior to and following exercise onset, participants in both the CE and AE groups completed a 5-minute warm-up and cool-down. Participants in the CON group read books for 35 minutes. Lactate concentrations were measured at timepoint of 0-, 17-, and 30-minutes relative to the treatment onset. Response time (RT) and accuracy in the Stroop test, as well as P3 amplitudes, were assessed before and after the treatment. Results: The results revealed that both the CE and AE groups had significantly shorter RTs compared to the CON group, with no significant differences in accuracy among groups. A decrease in P3 amplitudes was observed for the CE group compared to the AE and CON groups. The mediating effects of lactate between acute exercise and inhibitory control were insignificant. Conclusions: The findings suggest that both CE and AE improve inhibitory control and CE potentially enhances the efficient allocation of attention resources. The lack of a significant mediating effect of lactate warrants further investigation. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT06370286. Registered 12 April 2024 - Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06370286.