Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42338267›Full record

Trial reportClinical physiology and functional imaging2026

The combination of low-intensity resistance exercise and electrical muscle stimulation effectively enhances executive function in men.

Kento Dora, Su Yang, I Wayan Yuuki, Kousei Tachi, Kaito Hashimoto, Teppei Matsumura, Naokazu Miyamoto, Takeshi Hashimoto

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in Clinical physiology and functional imaging, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Trial
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Kento DoraFaculty of Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga, Japan.
Su YangFaculty of Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga, Japan.
I Wayan YuukiFaculty of Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga, Japan.
Kousei TachiFaculty of Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga, Japan.
Kaito HashimotoFaculty of Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga, Japan.
Teppei MatsumuraFaculty of Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga, Japan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1777-9499
Naokazu MiyamotoFaculty of Health and Sports Science, Juntendo University, Chiba, Japan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6023-7574
Takeshi HashimotoFaculty of Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga, Japan.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3951-5290

Funding

Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Technology of Japan 23K21635
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesResistance exercise enhances executive function (EF) more effectively at moderate or higher intensities than at low intensity resistance exercise (LRE), probably with increased neural activity and lactate production to meet brain energy demands. Given that LRE remains widely applicable with less perceived exertion, and electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) increases lactate production and neural activation, we investigated whether combining LRE with EMS (LRE-EMS) effectively enhances EF, without increasing perceived exertion.

designA crossover randomized study.

methodsSeventeen young men participated in a crossover randomized study to assess the cognitive effects of LRE alone, EMS alone, and LRE-EMS. The LRE protocol involved knee extensions at 40% one-repetition maximum for 4 sets of 10 repetitions. During the EMS condition, the participants remained seated for 260 s to match the duration of the other conditions, with EMS applied to the lower limb muscles. Subjective perceptions of exertion and fatigue during exercise were recorded.

resultsIC and lactate were measured at baseline, immediately postexercise, and 15 min postexercise. The LRE condition did not significantly increase IC (p = 0.100), whereas LRE-EMS resulted in significant IC improvements immediately and 15 min postexercise (both p < 0.001), with greater lactate increases compared to LRE and EMS. EMS demonstrated significant IC improvement at 15 min postexercise (p = 0.022).

conclusionsPerceived exertion and fatigue were greater with LRE-EMS compared with LRE and EMS. These findings suggest that LRE combined with EMS and EMS alone are effective strategies for cognitive improvement, but increased perceived exertion still exists.

Indexed as

Electric StimulationExecutive FunctionMuscle ContractionMuscle, SkeletalResistance TrainingAdultBiomarkersCognitionCognitive EnhancementCross-Over StudiesHumansLactic AcidMaleMuscle FatiguePhysical ExertionTime FactorsBiomarkersLactic Acidcognitive functionexerciseinhibitory controllactatemuscle contraction

Identifiers

PMID42338267
PMCPMC13291766

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.