High-intensity interval training improves cerebellar antioxidant capacity without affecting cognitive functions in rats

•Intense physical training is suggested to be harmful to cognitive function.•HIIT was used to assess redox state, behavior and cognitive function in rats.•HIIT did not change the anxious profile or locomotor activity.•Lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant mechanisms were seen in cerebellar tissue.•HIIT had no deleterious effects on rats’ cognitive function. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is associated with better physical performance, but there is limited information about the effects of HIIT on redox state of cerebellar tissue, cerebral cortex, and cognition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of HIIT on redox state parameters in cerebellar tissue, cerebral cortex, and cognitive function of Wistar rats. Forty-three young male Wistar rats were housed under controlled environmental conditions with food, and water ad libitum. Animals were assigned to HIIT or Non-trained groups. HIIT protocol was performed during six weeks. Speed was determined through the assesstment of the maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max). HIIT consisted of short bouts (1 min) running on a treadmill at 10° inclination (85–100% of VO2max) with 2 min of active recovery (60% of VO2max, without inclination). Non-trained group was daily exposed to a disconnected treadmill for the same amount of time as HITT group. Both groups were submitted to the open field, and novel object recognition tasks after six weeks. Malondialdehyde concentration (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity (FRAP) were quantified to determine the redox state. HIIT presented increased levels of MDA, SOD, and FRAP (p