None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Previous research indicates that acute exercise can benefit cognition and mood. However, most previous studies have used specialized laboratory-based equipment (e.g., treadmill or cycle ergometer) and little is known about how these findings generalize to naturalistic settings. In the current study we will examine the effects of acute exercise on cognitive performance (i.e., inhibitory control and switching) and mood states in healthy young adults. More specifically, participants will perform stair-climbing intervals, which is a readily accessible means of exercise in a naturalistic setting (i.e., stairs are available in most typical homes and workplaces). We hypothesize that cognitive performance and mood states will be superior following the stair-climbing protocol, compared to a control session without exercise. Previous findings also indicate that there may be sex-specific effects of acute exercise on cognition and mood; thus, we will examine if the effects differ between males and females. Finally, effects of exercise intensity on cognitive performance and mood states will also be investigated. Participants will be 60 healthy young adults (18-24 years). The study is a randomized controlled crossover trial with session order counterbalanced across participants. Participants will visit the lab on two occasions, one week apart, and complete one control session without exercise and one stair-climbing session where they perform six 1-min stair-climbing intervals. In the stair-climbing session, participants will complete computerized tests of visuomotor performance, inhibitory control, switching, and six visual analogue mood scales (i.e., sad, energetic, tense, happy, tired, and calm) after the stair-climbing intervals. In the control session (without exercise), participants will complete the cognitive tests and mood state ratings after a seated rest period. Data will be analyzed using repeated measures ANCOVA with session as a within-subject factor, sex as a between-subject factor, and chronic physical activity as a control variable. Linear regression analyses will be used to examine the effects of exercise intensity (as measured by percentage of heart rate reserve) on cognitive performance and mood. The findings from the current study can aid in the development of time-efficient exercise protocols that can be easily performed in naturalistic settings (e.g., at home or in the workplace). Short and simple exercise protocols may prove useful in workplace interventions aimed at increasing levels of physical activity, health, and well-being.
Interventions
Upon arrival at the laboratory at the University, the participant will be asked to remain seated for 5 min to obtain a measure of resting heart rate. Following the 5-min resting period participants will receive verbal instructions regarding how to perform the ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and the stair-climbing protocol, and watch a short demonstration video of the stair-climbing phase. Participants will then leave the testing room with the experimenter to complete the protocol. Further in
Upon arrival at the laboratory at the University, the participant will be asked to remain seated for 5 min to obtain a measure of resting heart rate. Following the 5-min resting period participants will receive verbal instructions regarding how to perform the ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and the stair-climbing protocol, and watch a short demonstration video of the stair-climbing phase. Participants will then leave the testing room with the experimenter to complete the protocol. Further instructions are provided during the stair-climbing protocol. An adapted version of the 3 x 60-s 1F stair-climbing protocol from Allison et al. (2017) will be used. The number of stair-climbing intervals will be six, instead of three as in the original protocol by Allison et al. (2017). The protocol entail the following phases: 2-min warm up, 45-s instructional interval, 1-min stair climbing, 1-min recovery, 1-min stair climbing, 1-min recovery, 1-min stair climbing, 1-min recovery, 1-min stair climbing, 1-min recovery, 1-min stair climbing, 1-min recovery, 1-min stair climbing, and 3-min cool down. For the warm up, the participant walk at a moderate pace on a flat surface from the laboratory to the stairwell and then up two flights of 12 stairs (each 17 cm in height). The participant then walk at a brisk pace back and forth along the corridor for the remainder of the 2 min. During the 45-s instructional interval, the experimenter provide final instructions for the stair-climbing and recovery phases. The three stair-climbing phases are completed on one flight of 12 stairs, measuring 17 cm in height. Participants receive the following instruction adapted from Allison et al. (2017): “For the stair climbing please move vigorously. This means relatively intense but not all out, so please move up the stairs as fast as you can while taking one step at a time. Maintain control and safety at all times”. Each recovery phase involve the participant descending to the landing from their place on the stairs, and walking back and forth at a self-selected pace. RPE ratings are given immediately before (pre RPE) and after (post RPE) each stair-climbing interval. The cool down phase involve walking down two flights of stairs, then back and forth on a flat surface, all at a self-selected pace. Following cool down, the participant return to the testing room and sit for 5 min (seated rest), after which they begin the cognitive battery. Cognitive testing takes approximately 7 min. The duration between the stair-climbing session and control session is one week. Reference Allison, M. K., Baglole, J. H., Martin, B. J., Macinnis, M. J., Gurd, B. J., & Gibala, M. J. (2017). Brief intense stair climbing improves cardiorespiratory fitness. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 49(2), 298-307. doi:10.1249/MSS.0000000000001188
Sponsors
Liana Machado
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Crossover
Primary purpose
Educational / counselling / training
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 24 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
- Aged 18-24 - Normal or corrected-to-normal vision - Readiness for physical activity (based on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PARQ; Thomas, Reading, & Shephard, 1992) Reference Thomas, S., Reading, J., & Shephard, R. J. (1992). Revision of the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q). Canadian Journal of Sport Sciences, 17(4), 338-345.
Exclusion criteria
- Colour blindness - Neurological or psychiatric conditions (based on self-report).
Outcome results
None listed