# Comparative study of effect of high intensity interval training and playing mobile games on reaction time in young adults using a Stroop test

PMID: 41041230
Journal: Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care
Published: 2025-09-24
Authors: Chutani A, Pande SS

## Question

Does adding mobile gaming to 4 weeks of HIIT improve Stroop reaction time more than HIIT alone in young adult men?

## Summary

In male medical students, 4 weeks of supervised HIIT was associated with faster Stroop test reaction times. Adding up to 3 hours per week of a mobile game did not significantly improve reaction time beyond HIIT alone.

## Population

- Male medical students aged 18 to 25 years
- Sample size: 60
- Age: 18 to 25 years
- Sex: Male
- Fitness level: Fit and willing for HIIT; baseline fitness not measured
- Health status: Young adults with selected clinical exclusions

## Methodology

- Randomized two-group pre-post intervention study described by the authors as cross-sectional
- 4 weeks
- Institutional gymnasium with supervised HIIT
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- HIIT plus game.
- Modality: Unspecified HIIT exercises plus Temple Run mobile game.
- Work intervals: Short high-intensity bursts; exact duration not reported.
- Recovery: Brief low-intensity activities; exact duration not reported.
- Intensity: High intensity, not quantified.
- Session duration: 30 to 45 min.
- Frequency: 3 sessions/week.
- Program length: 4 weeks.
- Progression: Not reported.
- HIIT only.
- Modality: Unspecified HIIT exercises.
- Work intervals: Short high-intensity bursts; exact duration not reported.
- Recovery: Brief low-intensity activities; exact duration not reported.
- Intensity: High intensity, not quantified.
- Session duration: 30 to 45 min.
- Frequency: 3 sessions/week.
- Program length: 4 weeks.
- Progression: Not reported.

## Outcomes

### Congruent time
Status: improved
Both groups reduced congruent Stroop response time over 4 weeks.

HIIT 43.00 to 36.50; HIIT+game 42.67 to 35.47; between-group comparisons non-significant.

### Neutral time
Status: improved
Both groups reduced neutral Stroop response time over 4 weeks.

HIIT 60.67 to 54.10; HIIT+game 59.87 to 51.73; between-group comparisons non-significant.

### Incongruent time
Status: improved
Both groups reduced incongruent Stroop response time over 4 weeks.

HIIT 86.30 to 70.53; HIIT+game 84.83 to 68.63; between-group comparisons non-significant.

## Practical Insights

- Cognitive outcome claims from this study should be conservative because no no-exercise control was included.
- The HIIT protocol is too vague for direct workout design.
- Adding Temple Run did not significantly outperform HIIT alone.

## Limitations

- No non-exercise control
- Unclear HIIT protocol
- No objective intensity measurement
- Male-only medical student sample
- Short duration
- Practice effects possible

## Safety And Adherence

- No adverse events, injuries, or dropouts were reported in the article.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41041230/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_266_25) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12488140/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

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