Abstract

The use of tobacco is widespread among both active and inactive individuals. However, its adverse effects appear less pronounced in those who exercise regularly. Since smoking may differentially impact smokers and nonsmokers, this study examined the immediate effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on cognitive performance in both groups. Forty inactive participants (20 smokers, 20 nonsmokers) were included, with mean ages of 20.35±1.26 and 20.15±1.38 years, respectively. The HIIT protocol involved five exercises. Cognitive performance was assessed immediately after the session using the Visual Cognitive Function Test (VCFT) and Auditory Cognitive Function Test (ACFT), each repeated five times, with results recorded in milliseconds. Pre-test VCFT scores were significantly higher in smokers (381.16±7.96 ms) compared to nonsmokers (372.24±11.17 ms, p=0.006). Post-test scores also differed (smokers: 607.50±43.33 ms; nonsmokers: 577.66±20.78 ms, p=0.007). The improvement from pre- to post-test was greater in nonsmokers (-48.39 ms, p < 0.001) than in smokers (-25.39 ms, p=0.021). In ACFT, no significant group differences were found at pre-test (p=0.080) or post-test (p=0.079), but both groups showed significant improvement following HIIT (p

Key words: Smoking, exercise, cognitive function, high-intensity interval training