The Effects of Exercise Induced Increases in Heart Rate and Decreases in Blood Oxygen Saturation on Reaction-Time in Young Adults

Abstract

Exercise has been proven to be beneficial to not only physical health, but also cognitive function. Few studies have looked at the effects of increased heart rate on cognitive function in young adults. In this experiment, reaction time tests were used as a measure of cognitive function, which were administered at rest, after maintaining 60% of maximum heart rate for 45 seconds, and after maintaining 80% of maximum heart rate for 45 seconds on 20 participants (mean = 21.45 years). The relationship between reaction time and blood oxygen saturation (%SpO2) were also analyzed. Results indicated that overall, reaction time improved (decreased) after the heart rate was increased to 60% of maximum heart rate but did not show significant improvements from 60% to 80% of maximum heart rate. There was no significant relationship between %SpO2 and reaction time. Findings suggest that as heart rate increases, %SpO2 slowly decreases. A positive relationship between increased heart rate and reaction time is suggested. These results could potentially have implications for advising young adults to engage in warm up exercises before sporting events for an increase in reaction time.