THE EFFECT OF SUBMAXIMAL EXERCISE ON THE ATTENTION OF HEALTHY ADULTS

Abstract

Introduction. Submaximal exercise uses intensity below 85% of the predicted maximum pulse for age. One example of a submaximal exercise is the Three-minutes step test (TMST) which is practical, easy to implement in the subject's routine, and has clear measurement standards. After TMST is done, VO₂max can be calculated which is the main indicator used to determine cardiorespiratory capacity. There have been no studies evaluating the effect of submaximal exercise and VO₂max on domain attention in healthy adults.

Aim. This study aim to evaluate effect submaximal exercise on the attention of healty adults.

Material and method. Using a controlled before-and-after study, sixty healthy adults, aged 25-40 years, were divided into control and intervention groups (TMST). Attention function was measured with SDMT (Symbol Digit Modalities Test) before and after TMST or 3 minutes rest.

Result. There was a significant difference in the intervention and control groups (p values <0.001 and 0.0029). The values of SDMT in the intervention group with the control group were significant with the p-value is <0.0001. The effect of the TMST intervention on SDMT was significant, with p values <0.0001.

Conclusion. Submaximal exercise can improve attention function in healthy adults.