Effect of Aerobic Exercise versus Resistance Exercise Training on Cognitive Function in Young Adults: A Comparative Study

Background: Cognition is the act or process of knowing, including awareness, reasoning, judgments, intuition and memory. Exercise seems a simple and widely practiced behavior that activates the molecular and cellular signaling process involved in various central nervous system processes. Aerobic and resistance exercises seem to be effective in improving cognitive function in adults and the elderly. Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of aerobic and resistance exercise training on cognitive functions. Method: Fifty-eight individuals participated and underwent aerobic exercise and resistance exercise training. The exercise training protocol consisted of twelve sessions of 45 minutes, 3 days per week for 4 weeks. Executive functions were measured by the Stroop Test and trail making test. Results: Result of the study found improvement of cognition in the aerobic exercise group as well as the resistance exercise group in young healthy individuals. Conclusion: The present study concluded that both Aerobic exercise and Resistance exercise training were similarly effective on improving cognition in young individuals. Keywords: Aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, cognitive function, young healthy individuals, Trail making test, Stroop test