Researchers from California recently conducted a study demonstrating that cognitive control, the ability to ignore distractions and focus on tasks at hand, shares resources with physical functioning. Their findings, published in Psychreg Journal of Psychology, suggest potential implications for the treatment of cognitive control-related neuropathologies such as ADHD.
Richard Pham, the lead author of the study, said: “The research grants insight into the intricate mechanisms behind cognitive inhibition and attention span. By understanding the relationship between cognitive inhibition and physical effort, we may potentially further the development of treatments for cognitive disorders such as ADHD. We hope to continue our work by further studying how different types of physical effort may impact cognitive inhibition.”
In the study involving 16 psychology students aged between 18–21, the researchers measured the impact of physical strain on the ability to inhibit distractions. Previous research indicates that humans have a finite amount of cognitive resources. As these resources are diverted to other cognitive areas, our ability to inhibit distractions decreases. In this study, the researchers hypothesized that a similar relationship exists between cognitive and physical processes.
The students were asked to memorise a specific sequence of digits, a task designed to utilise their working memory, before completing a selective attention task which required them to ignore irrelevant stimuli. Data revealed that higher memory load participants, who had to memorise sequences of digits out of order, struggled more to ignore the irrelevant stimuli, implying that higher memory loads diminish the ability to inhibit distractions.
Pham further explained: “The preliminary findings of this study highlight the nuanced relationship between cognitive load and attention. We discovered that both cognitive and physical exertion share resources, providing valuable insight for the development of future therapeutic approaches.”
In the subsequent stage, physical effort was evaluated using an isometric hand dynamometer, with participants categorised into high physical load and low physical load based on their maximum grip strength. Participants then performed the Eriksen Flanker task, a psychological assessment for attention. The task was executed while maintaining their grip strength, and accuracy and reaction time were compared between the low and high physical loads.
Results indicated a correlation between higher physical load and a lower ability to inhibit distractions. Participants exerting 80% effort made more mistakes and had slower reaction times on the Eriksen Flanker task. Conversely, participants with lower physical load demonstrated an increased ability to inhibit distractions.
However, the researchers acknowledged the need for a larger sample size to minimize errors and establish statistically significant effects. They also suggested implementing uniform device placement and scheduled break periods in future studies to prevent skewed results due to factors like participant fatigue or confusion.
This study offers a significant leap in understanding the complex relationship between physical and cognitive resources, which could, in turn, provide vital insights into mechanisms behind response inhibition. Current findings hint that individuals with ADHD, who generally score lower on Eriksen Flanker tests, may be influenced by the interplay between physical and cognitive resources.
As the connection between physical effort and cognitive control remains a relatively unexplored field, this research opens the door for future studies, with potential benefits for the treatment of ADHD. By manipulating physical load in addition to employing pharmacological agents, patients could potentially experience fewer side effects, improved adherence to treatment, and reduced drug interactions.
Beyond implications for ADHD treatment, the findings could pave the way for further studies into the impact of shared physical and cognitive resources on other cognitive processes such as decision making, problem-solving, and learning.
This groundbreaking study enhances our understanding of the relationship between cognitive control and physical strain. The research holds promising potential for developing innovative clinical interventions for cognitive control deficits and could revolutionize our understanding and improvement of human cognitive abilities in everyday life.
