TY  -  JOUR
AU  -  Guarascio, Giovanni
AU  -  Giorgio, Alessandro
AU  -  Cofano, Erminia
AU  -  Calabrò, Alessio
AU  -  Prigitano, Vincenzo
AU  -  Imbrogno, Alessandro
AU  -  Gasparini, Giorgio
AU  -  Arena, Saverio
AU  -  Mercurio, Michele
AU  -  Emerenziani, Gian Pietro
AU  -  Parisi, Attilio
AU  -  Tarsitano, Maria Grazia
AU  -  Familiari, Filippo
T1  -  Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) with cognitive stimulation versus traditional HIIT on cognitive performance, glucose utilization, and distance covered in adolescent non-professional athletes: a pilot study
PY  -  2025
Y1  -  2025-07-01
DO  -  10.1728/4632.46417
JO  -  Medicina dello Sport
JA  -  Med Sport
VL  -  78
IS  -  3
SP  -  167
EP  -  173
PB  -  Il Pensiero Scientifico Editore
SN  -  1827-1863
Y2  -  2026/07/26
UR  -  http://dx.doi.org/10.1728/4632.46417
N2  -  Summary. Introduction. Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) with cognitive stimulation affect glucose metabolism and neural plasticity. However, no study has examined the chronic effects of HIIT integrated with cognitive stimuli on neuro-metabolic and cognitive adaptations. Methods. In this randomized, blind controlled pilot study, adolescent non-professional football players aged 14-18 years who were randomly assigned to two groups. Group CG was assigned traditional HIIT while Group EG had HIIT with visuo-motor stimulation. All groups underwent training three times a week for eight weeks. Evaluations comprising cognitive, physical performance and glucose consumption were scheduled for T0 and T8. Results. After 8 weeks, the EG demonstrated a significant reduction in glucose consumption compared to the CG. No significant differences were observed in distance covered or cognitive scores between groups over time. Discussion. HIIT combined with cognitive stimulation may improve glucose efficiency in adolescent athletes. These findings highlight the potential of integrating cognitive challenges into HIIT protocols to optimize both cerebral and muscular energy management.
ER  -