The problem of optimal dosing of short-term cyclic physical loads that stimulate students' mental performance is addressed. This research aimed to identify the specific exercise intensity thresholds that optimally stimulate attentional concentration and stability. The experimental cohort comprised nine male student-athletes (aged 17–21) specializing in combat sports at KazNARU. The study protocol required participants to complete three consecutive 5-minute cycling ergometer bouts at distinct heart rate (HR) ranges: light (110–130 bpm), moderate (150–160 bpm), and submaximal/maximal (≥180 bpm), with 3-minute active recovery periods between each bout. Perceptual and cognitive responses were evaluated using the Bourdon-Anfimov cancellation test at three time points: at baseline, during the inter-bout intervals, and following a 30-minute post-exercise recovery period. One-way analysis of variance showed a statistically significant (Fp > Fst) increase in concentration of attention across all intensity zones, while changes in attention stability were not statistically significant. The moderate-intensity zone (150-160 bpm) exceeded the effect of the light-intensity zone (110-130 bpm) in 100% of participants. Upon transition to submaximal/maximal intensity (≥180 bpm), 33% of participants (3 of 9) showed a decline in the concentration indicator relative to the moderate-intensity zone, indicating individual limits of physiological tolerance to load. The most pronounced attention-activation effect was observed not immediately, but after a 30-minute rest interval – in 89% of participants (8 of 9) – indicating a delayed ("supercompensatory") character of the cognitive response to cyclic load. The findings support recommending the inclusion of short-term moderate-intensity loads in the structure of academic and training sessions at KazNARU, taking the delayed effect into account when scheduling "load → mental activity" sequences.