Effects of running exercises on reaction time and working memory in individuals with intellectual disability

Abstract Background This study explored the effect of running exercises at low [30% heart rate reserve (HRR)] and moderate (60%HRR) intensities on cognitive performances in individuals with intellectual disability (ID). Methods Participants performed randomly reaction time (RT) tests: visual RT [simple RT (SRT) and choice RT (CRT)], auditory SRT (ASRT) and working memory (WM) (Corsi test) before and after the exercises. Results The results showed that after both exercises, SRT decreased significantly ( P < 0.001) in both groups with higher extent ( P < 0.05) at 60%HRR compared with 30%HRR. CRT decreased ( P < 0.01), similarly, after the both exercises in both groups with higher ( P < 0.001) extent in the intellectual disability group (IDG). ASRT decreased significantly, at 30%HRR, in IDG ( P < 0.001) and in control group (CG) ( P < 0.01) with greater extent in IDG ( P < 0.001). At 60%HRR, ASRT decreased significantly in both groups ( P < 0.001) with greater extent in IDG ( P < 0.001). The ΔASRT% was significantly ( P < 0.05) higher at 30%HRR compared with 60%HRR in IDG. In CG, no significant ( P = 0.21) difference was reported between intensities. The Corsi forward and the Corsi backward scores increased significantly ( P < 0.01) in both groups after both intensities with higher extent in IDG ( P < 0.01). Conclusions Our results suggest that low and moderate running exercises improve similarly simple and choice visual RT as well as WM in individuals with ID. Furthermore, low‐intensity exercise could be more appropriate to enhance ASRT compared the moderate one in these individuals. Therefore, low‐intensity exercise seems to be an efficient strategy to improve cognitive performances in individuals with ID.