Working memory and inhibitory control during resistance exercise

INTERVENTION: This is a randomized, open‐label, crossover clinical trial with 24 participants, with all participants completing the three experimental conditions in randomized order; therefore, each condition will include the same 24 participants. The conditions will be performed in three visits separated by an interval of 2 to 7 days. At all visits, participants will complete a standardized five‐minute warm‐up on a cycle ergometer followed by brief submaximal familiarization with the isokinetic dynamometer. In the rest condition, participants will perform the Go/No‐Go and 2‐back cognitive tasks without concurrent lower‐limb exercise. In the very light effort condition, participants will perform the same cognitive tasks concurrently with two sets of approximately one minute of reciprocal knee flexion and extension movements on an isokinetic dynamometer, using very light voluntary effort, with a three‐minute interval between sets. In the maximal effort condition, the same protocol will be performed, but with maximal voluntary effort throughout the sets. The maximal isokinetic protocol will also be performed without a concurrent cognitive task to assess muscle performance under a single‐task condition. The order of the three experimental conditions will be determined by randomization, while the order of the cognitive tasks and the lower limbs assessed will be counterbalanced. Participants and researchers responsible for administering the interventions will not be blinded. At the end of each set, perceived physical and mental effort will be assessed separately using a scale from zero to ten CONDITION: Executive function; Memory, short‐term; Inhibition, psychological ; Mental processes F02.463 PRIMARY OUTCOME: A difference in reaction time for correct trials in the Go/No‐Go task is expected across the rest, very light effort, and maximal effort conditions, measured in milliseconds during the cognitive task in each experimental condition SECONDARY OUTCOME: Differences in 2‐back task accuracy are expected across the experimental conditions, assessed by commission and omission errors Differences in Go/No‐Go task accuracy are expected across the experimental conditions, assessed by commission and omission errors Differences in muscle performance are expected between maximal isokinetic exercise performed alone and concurrently with the cognitive tasks, assessed using total work and peak torque obtained from the isokinetic dynamometer Differences in perceived physical and mental effort are expected across the experimental conditions, assessed using scales from zero to ten Differences in reaction time for correct trials in the 2‐back task are expected across the experimental conditions, measured in milliseconds INCLUSION CRITERIA: Individuals aged 18 to 60 years; physically active; literate; without relevant cardiovascular, respiratory, or metabolic history; without musculoskeletal limitations that preclude completion of the exercise protocol