# The Effects of the Combination of High-Intensity Interval Training with 3D-Multiple Object Tracking Task on Perceptual-Cognitive Performance: A Randomized Controlled Intervention Trial

PMID: 34063304
Journal: International journal of environmental research and public health
Published: 2021 May 2
Authors: Park SY, Klotzbier TJ, Schott N

## Question

Does combining HIIT with a 3D multiple-object tracking task improve perceptual-cognitive performance during exercise more than HIIT alone, cognitive-task practice alone, or no intervention?

## Summary

In healthy young adults, four weeks of treadmill HIIT improved aerobic fitness, but it did not by itself improve performance on a 3D visual tracking task. Gains on the visual tracking task came from practicing that task, with or without HIIT, so this paper is better for internal protocol context than for broad claims that HIIT improves cognition.

## Population

- Healthy young adults recruited through a university sports center
- Sample size: 42
- Age: 23.3 +/- 2.94 years
- Sex: 13 women; remaining participants men
- Fitness level: Fit young adults with mean VO2max about 52.8 mL/kg/min
- Health status: Healthy

## Methodology

- Four-group randomized controlled intervention trial
- 4 weeks
- University laboratory treadmill and Neurotracker testing setting
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- Treadmill HIIT.
- Modality: Treadmill running.
- Work intervals: 30 seconds.
- Recovery: 2 minutes active recovery.
- Sets or repetitions: 11 bouts.
- Intensity: 90% VO2max work, 50% VO2max recovery.
- Session duration: About 30 minutes plus warm-up and cool-down.
- Frequency: 2 times/week.
- Program length: 4 weeks.
- Progression: Individualized from VO2max; detailed progression not reported.
- Neurotracker, HIIT-only, or control.
- Modality: Cognitive task only, HIIT only, or no training depending on group.
- Sets or repetitions: Neurotracker groups completed 20 trials per session.
- Frequency: 2 times/week for active groups.
- Program length: 4 weeks.
- Progression: Task practice or no intervention depending on comparator group.

## Outcomes

### VO2max
Status: improved
Aerobic fitness improved only in the HIIT and HIIT plus Neurotracker groups.

Time-by-group interaction F(3,36)=6.04, p=0.002, eta_p2=0.335

### Tracking task
Status: mixed
Task performance improved in Neurotracker-practice groups but not in HIIT-only or control.

Pre/post by group interaction F(3,37)=8.37, p<0.001

### HIIT transfer
Status: no clear change
HIIT alone did not improve the specific perceptual-cognitive task.

## Practical Insights

- For app content, keep cognition claims narrow: task practice improved the task; HIIT alone did not.
- For workout generation, this provides a lab-based 30-second work and 2-minute recovery running template for fit users.
- The long recovery interval is notable for maintaining very high work-bout intensity.

## Limitations

- Small sample
- Young fit participants
- Short 4-week intervention
- Neurotracker was both training and assessment task
- No transfer task or long-term follow-up

## Safety And Adherence

- No adverse event detail was found in the reviewed full text.
- Protocol used high-intensity treadmill running in healthy young adults.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34063304/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094862) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8125741/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.