Comparative Effects of Different Exercise Types on Cardiovascular Health and Executive Function in Sedentary Young Individuals

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to compare the impacts of different exercise types on cardiovascular health and executive function (EF) in sedentary young individuals, and to determine the associations between cardiovascular function and EF after exercise. METHODS: Sixty-three sedentary participants were randomly divided into high-intensity interval training (HIIT), moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), resistance exercise (RE), and control groups. Macro- and microvascular endothelial functions were assessed using brachial artery flow-mediated dilation and fingertip reactive hyperemia index, respectively. Arterial stiffness was evaluated through carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, ankle-brachial index, and augmentation index. EF performance was evaluated using the Stroop and N -back tasks. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy was employed to measure cortical activation and real-time oxyhemoglobin concentration (Oxy-Hb) changes in different cerebral regions. Key circulating biomarkers for vascular and cognitive function, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), irisin, vascular endothelial growth factor, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and tumor necrosis factor-α, were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: Eight weeks of HIIT, MICT, and RE effectively improved macro- and microvascular endothelial function while reducing arterial stiffness in sedentary young individuals. Furthermore, exercise-induced increase in BDNF level was correlated with enhanced macrovascular endothelial function, whereas an increase in IGF-1 level was associated with enhanced microvascular endothelial function and reduced arterial stiffness. Notably, both HIIT and MICT, but not RE, efficiently enhanced Oxy-Hb level in certain brain regions, such as the frontopolar area and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, leading to the improvement in EF performance. Exercise-induced increase in Oxy-Hb level and EF performance were correlated with enhanced BDNF level and endothelial function and reduced arterial stiffness. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that 8 wk of HIIT, MICT, and RE effectively improved endothelial function in both macro- and microvessels, and arterial stiffness among sedentary young individuals. However, HIIT and MICT, but not RE, notably increased blood oxygen level in the frontopolar area and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex brain regions and improved EF performance. Due to the efficiency and time-saving features of HIIT, the present study highlights HIIT as an effective exercise prescription for promoting vascular function and EF in sedentary young individuals. Importantly, the observed improvements in cardiovascular function following exercise training are pivotal in improving EF, and elevated circulating levels of biomarkers like BDNF and IGF-1, induced by exercise, are involved in the regulatory mechanisms.