Cognitive Performance, Cognitive Performance During Physical Activity, Sustained Attention
Conditions
Keywords
Exercise, High-Intensity Interval Training, Aerobic Exercise, SART, Psychomotor Vigilance Task, Exercise Intensity
Brief summary
This study aims to compare the immediate effects of two common types of exercise-moderate-intensity continuous exercise and high-intensity interval training (HIIT)-on attention, alertness, and physiological responses in physically active young adults. Attention and mental alertness are essential for learning, academic performance, and daily functioning. Previous research suggests that a single session of exercise can temporarily improve cognitive performance, but it is not clear whether moderate exercise or high-intensity interval exercise is more effective in producing these immediate benefits. In this study, participants will complete two supervised treadmill exercise sessions on separate days: one session of moderate-intensity continuous exercise and one session of high-intensity interval training. The order of the two exercise sessions will be randomized, and there will be a rest period of 48 to 72 hours between sessions. Before and immediately after each exercise session, participants will complete computerized cognitive tests that measure sustained attention and reaction time. Heart rate, oxygen saturation, perceived exertion, mood, and alertness will also be measured to evaluate physiological and psychological responses to exercise. By comparing the effects of these two exercise approaches within the same individuals, this study aims to identify which type of exercise leads to better immediate cognitive performance and favorable physiological responses. The findings may help guide exercise recommendations for improving attention, alertness, and overall mental performance in young adults.
Detailed description
This study is a randomized within-subject crossover clinical trial designed to compare the acute effects of moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on cognitive performance and psychophysiological responses in physically active young adults. Each participant will complete two supervised treadmill exercise sessions-one MICE session and one HIIT session-on separate days, with a 48-72-hour washout period. The order of the two exercise conditions will be randomized using a computer-generated sequence. This crossover design allows each participant to serve as their own control, reducing inter-individual variability and increasing statistical power. Cognitive performance will be assessed immediately before and after each exercise session using validated computerized tests of sustained attention and vigilance, including the Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART) and the Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT). Primary cognitive outcomes will include reaction time, accuracy, response inhibition, and attentional lapses. Psychophysiological responses will be monitored throughout the exercise sessions and immediately post-exercise. These include heart rate, oxygen saturation, rating of perceived exertion, mood, and alertness. Exercise intensity will be prescribed based on percentages of age-predicted maximum heart rate and continuously monitored to ensure protocol adherence and participant safety. Data will be analyzed using within-subject statistical comparisons to evaluate differences between exercise conditions. The findings are expected to provide evidence on how acute exercise intensity influences immediate cognitive and physiological responses, informing exercise recommendations for optimizing attention and alertness in young adults.
Interventions
OTHERModerate-Intensity Continuous Exercise (MICE)
Participants perform continuous treadmill exercise for 20 minutes at 60-70% of age-predicted maximum heart rate. Each session includes a standardized warm-up period of approximately 3 minutes and a cool-down period of 2-3 minutes. Heart rate, oxygen saturation, and rating of perceived exertion are monitored throughout the session to ensure adherence to the target intensity and participant safety.
OTHERHigh-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
Participants perform treadmill-based high-intensity interval training consisting of repeated short bouts of exercise at 85-95% of age-predicted maximum heart rate, interspersed with brief recovery periods. Total session duration is approximately 20 minutes, including standardized warm-up and cool-down periods. Heart rate, oxygen saturation, and rating of perceived exertion are continuously monitored to ensure safety and protocol compliance.
Sponsors
Qassim University
Cairo University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Due to the nature of the exercise interventions, participant and care provider blinding is not feasible. However, cognitive outcome assessors are blinded to the intervention order to minimize assessment bias. Data analysis will be performed using coded datasets to ensure objectivity.
Intervention model description
This study uses a randomized within-subject crossover design in which each participant completes two exercise interventions-moderate-intensity continuous exercise and high-intensity interval training-on separate days, with a 48-72-hour washout period. The order of the interventions is randomized so that each participant serves as their own control.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 30 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Aged between 18 and 30 years. * Physically active individuals, as assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). * In good general health. * Cleared for physical activity participation based on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q). * Enrolled as university students. * Able and willing to provide written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
* History of cardiovascular, neurological, or musculoskeletal disorders that may affect exercise safety or cognitive performance. * Presence of uncontrolled hypertension, recent concussion, or any medical condition contraindicating exercise. * Use of medications that may influence cognition, mood, or cardiovascular responses. * Pregnancy. * Failure to pass PAR-Q screening without medical clearance. * Heavy smoking or history of substance abuse. * Visual or hearing impairments that could interfere with computerized cognitive task performance.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART) Performance | Immediately before each exercise session (within the same day for both intervention conditions) | Sustained attention and response inhibition will be assessed using the Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART). Outcome variables will include reaction time, accuracy, commission errors, and omission errors, reflecting participants' ability to maintain sustained attention and inhibitory control following acute exercise. |
| Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) Performance | Immediately before each exercise session (within the same day for both intervention conditions) | Vigilance and reaction time will be evaluated using the Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT). Outcome variables will include mean reaction time, number of attentional lapses, and response accuracy, reflecting participants' sustained alertness following acute exercise. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Heart Rate Response During and After Exercise | During each exercise session | Heart rate will be continuously monitored during each exercise session and recorded at baseline, during exercise, and immediately post-exercise to evaluate physiological responses to moderate-intensity continuous exercise and high-intensity interval training. |
| Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂) Response | During each exercise session | Peripheral oxygen saturation will be measured using a pulse oximeter before, during, and immediately after each exercise session to assess acute cardiorespiratory responses to exercise intensity. |
| Rating of Perceived Exertion Assessed by the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale (6-20) | During each exercise session | Perceived exertion will be assessed using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Scale (6-20) during and immediately after each exercise session to evaluate subjective exercise intensity and effort. The scale ranges from 6 (no exertion at all) to 20 (maximal exertion). Higher scores indicate greater perceived physical effort. |
| Mood and Alertness Assessed by Numeric Rating Scales (0-10) | Immediately before each exercise session | Subjective mood and alertness will be assessed using separate 10-point Numeric Rating Scales (0-10) administered immediately before and immediately after each exercise session. For each scale, 0 represents the lowest level (very poor mood / extremely sleepy) and 10 represents the highest level (excellent mood / fully alert). Higher scores indicate better mood and greater alertness. |
Countries
Saudi Arabia
Outcome results
None listed