A Comparison of Cognitive Function, Physical and Mental Fatigue, and Dual-Task Difficulties in Physically Active and Inactive Young Adults

Abstract

Purpose: Physical activity is associated with cognitive function, fatigue, and dual-task difficulties; however, these variables have not been sufficiently examined together in young adults. This study aimed to compare cognitive status, physical and mental fatigue, and dual-task difficulties between physically active and inactive young adults. Material and Methods: A total of 181 young adults were included. Data were collected online using a sociodemographic form, the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ), the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), the Mental Fatigue Scale (MFS), and the Dual-Task Questionnaire (DTQ). Participants were divided into physically active (≥3 days/week) and inactive (<3 days/week) groups. Results: The study was completed with 174 participants (134 females, 40 males; mean age: 24.82 ± 5.59 years). Physically active individuals (n=81) had significantly better cognitive function and experienced fewer dual-task difficulties than inactive individuals (p<0.05). No significant differences were found between the groups in physical or mental fatigue (p>0.05). Discussion: Physically inactive young adults demonstrated poorer cognitive function and experienced more dual-task difficulties than their physically active counterparts. However, no significant differences were observed in physical or mental fatigue. These findings suggest that regular physical activity may be associated with better cognitive function and fewer dual-task difficulties in everyday life. The use of objective assessment methods is recommended in future studies.

Keywords

• Physical activity
• fatigue
• cognition
• young adult

Supporting Institution

There are no supporting organizations.

Project Number

2025-038

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval was obtained from the Gülhane Scientific Research Ethics Committee of the University of Health Sciences (approval date: December 18, 2025; decision number: 2025-038) and was conducted in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration.

Thanks

The authors thank all participants for their contributions.

Fiziksel Aktivite Yapan ve Yapmayan Genç Erişkinlerde Bilişsel Durum, Fiziksel ve Zihinsel Yorgunluk ve İkili Görev Zorluklarının Karşılaştırılması

Abstract

Amaç: Fiziksel aktivite, bilişsel işlevler, yorgunluk ve ikili görev zorluklarıyla ilişkili bir kavramdır. Ancak genç yetişkinlerde bu değişkenlerin birlikte incelendiği çalışmalar sınırlıdır. Bu çalışmada, fiziksel aktivite yapan ve yapmayan genç yetişkinlerde bilişsel durum, fiziksel ve zihinsel yorgunluk ile ikili görev zorluklarının karşılaştırılması amaçlandı. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmaya 181 genç yetişkin dahil edildi. Sosyo-demografik bilgi formu, Bilişsel Durum Ölçeği (BDÖ), Yorgunluk Şiddet Ölçeği (YŞÖ), Zihinsel Yorgunluk Ölçeği (ZYÖ) ve İkili Görev Anketi (İGA) kullanılarak veriler çevrimiçi olarak toplandı. Katılımcılar, fiziksel olarak aktif (haftada ≥3 gün) ve inaktif (haftada <3 gün) olmak üzere iki gruba ayrıldı. Sonuçlar: Çalışma 174 genç yetişkin (134 kadın, 40 erkek; yaş: 24,82 ± 5,59 yıl) ile tamamlandı. Fiziksel olarak aktif bireyler (n=81), inaktif bireylere kıyasla anlamlı düzeyde daha iyi bilişsel fonksiyona sahipti ve çift görev sırasında daha az güçlük yaşadı (p<0.05). Gruplar arasında fiziksel veya mental yorgunluk açısından ise anlamlı bir farklılık bulunmadı (p>0.05). Tartışma: Fiziksel olarak inaktif genç yetişkinler, aktif olanlara kıyasla daha düşük bilişsel fonksiyona sahipti ve çift görev sırasında daha fazla güçlük yaşadı. Buna karşın, fiziksel ve mental yorgunluk açısından gruplar arasında anlamlı bir farklılık bulunmadı. Bu bulgular, düzenli fiziksel aktivitenin daha iyi bilişsel fonksiyonla ve günlük yaşamda çift görev sırasında daha az güçlük yaşanmasıyla ilişkili olabileceğini göstermektedir. Gelecek çalışmalarda objektif değerlendirme yöntemlerinin kullanılması önerilmektedir.

Keywords

• Fiziksel aktivite
• yorgunluk
• biliş
• genç erişkin

Supporting Institution

Destekleyen kurum yoktur.

Project Number

2025-038

Ethical Statement

Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Gülhane Bilimsel Araştırma Etik Kurulu'ndan etik onay alınmış (onay tarihi: 18 Aralık 2025; karar numarası: 2025-038) ve çalışma Helsinki Bildirgesi'ne uygun olarak yürütülmüştür.

Thanks

Yazarlar, katkılarından dolayı tüm katılımcılara teşekkür eder.

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