| dc.description.abstract | The relationship between exercise and cognition has been extensively studied, with results
varying based on factors such as the length, intensity, and modality of exercise and the timing,
task, and domain of cognition under investigation. While studies evaluating concomitant exercise
and cognition overwhelmingly indicate decrements in performance on executive function tasks at
high intensities, there remains limited agreement on how individual differences or cognitions
might affect the physiological processes linked to these declines. As such, the present
prospective, within-subjects study sought to systematically examine the impact of pain
catastrophizing, a variable known to impact attentional processes, on the relationship between
exercise intensity and executive function. Following completion of a series of online
questionnaires and familiarization procedures (Visit 1), eligible participants completed an
executive function test, the Cedar OWAT, while simultaneously completing a graded maximal
exercise test on a treadmill (Visit 2). Results indicated significant decrements in executive
function performance as exercise intensity increased, with pain catastrophizing interacting with
exercise intensity to exert differential effects on hit rate and precision. In summary, the present
study replicates previous findings demonstrating a significant negative relationship between
exercise intensity and executive performance and offers initial evidence that higher levels of pain
catastrophizing could contribute to complex alterations in cognitive performance under such
conditions. These findings should be further explored in future studies, as they might hold
particular relevance in settings in which maintaining peak cognitive abilities is crucial for
effective decision-making, performance, and overall health. | en_US |
