Cognitive Dysfunction, Emotional Well-being, Mental Fatigue, Psychological Stress
Conditions
Keywords
Attention Restoration Theory, Psychophysiological Restoration
Brief summary
This study investigates the comparative psychological impacts of a high-frequency "Exercise Snacks" (ESG) protocol versus a traditional continuous exercise (TEG) regimen on healthy young adults. Utilizing a randomized controlled trial design over a 4-week longitudinal period, 180 participants were allocated into two groups of 90, with a standby recruitment protocol employed to ensure sample size stability. The intervention was standardized to equate total weekly exercise volume at 90 minutes. The TEG cohort performed 30-minute continuous cycling sessions three times per week, whereas the ESG cohort executed 15-minute distributed cycling sessions six times per week. To ensure physiological homogeneity and precision in workload prescription, individual baseline maximal aerobic capacity was assessed via incremental cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Based on these individual thresholds, exercise intensity for both cohorts was rigorously maintained at 40% of their respective maximal aerobic capacity throughout the intervention. Psychometric outcomes were evaluated within 24 hours of the intervention's conclusion, focusing on three dimensions: Perceived Stress, Decision Fatigue and Cognitive Load, and Physical Activity Enjoyment. By applying Lazarus and Folkman's Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, Sweller's Cognitive Load Theory, and Self-Determination Theory, this research examines how fragmented exercise protocols interact with daily workflow and self-regulatory resources. The findings provide critical insights into the real-world viability, behavioral resistance, and psychological divergence associated with high-frequency, fragmented exercise routines compared to conventional models.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALExercise Snacks Group (ESG)
Participants perform high-frequency, fragmented exercise consisting of six 15-minute cycling sessions per week, totaling 90 minutes of weekly activity. The exercise intensity is strictly prescribed and maintained at 40% of the individual's maximal aerobic capacity, as determined by preliminary cardiopulmonary testing. All sessions are conducted on digitized, electronically braked stationary ergometers to ensure precise, real-time monitoring of power output and strict adherence to the prescribed workload.
BEHAVIORALTraditional Exercise Group (TEG)
Participants perform structured, continuous exercise consisting of three 30-minute cycling sessions per week, totaling 90 minutes of weekly activity. To ensure physiological equivalence, the exercise intensity is also strictly maintained at 40% of the individual's maximal aerobic capacity. Participants utilize the same digitized, electronically braked stationary ergometers as the ESG group to ensure consistent monitoring of exercise duration and intensity throughout the 4-week intervention period.
Sponsors
Lincoln University College
Wuhan Technical University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
The study is a 4-week longitudinal randomized controlled trial (RCT) designed to compare the psychometric outcomes of two distinct exercise modalities: a high-frequency "Exercise Snacks" (ESG) protocol and a traditional continuous exercise (TEG) model. The research aims to evaluate the behavioral and psychological divergence between these two paradigms regarding their impact on cognitive load and perceived stress.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 30 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
1. Healthy young adults (aged 18-30). 2. Body composition within the healthy range (12%-25% for males; 18%-33% for females). 3. Able and willing to provide informed consent and adhere to the 4-week exercise protocol.
Exclusion criteria
1. Pre-existing cardiovascular, metabolic, or chronic respiratory conditions. 2. History of musculoskeletal injuries that prevent safe participation in cycling. 3. Current engagement in regular, structured exercise exceeding 60 minutes per week. 4. Use of medications or substances known to significantly influence heart rate, cognitive performance, or stress responses.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Decision Fatigue and Cognitive Load (DFCL) | Within 24 hours post-intervention. | This outcome assesses the depletion of self-regulatory resources and the cognitive strain resulting from executive function demands. It utilizes a validated psychometric instrument to evaluate task-switching costs and perceived mental exertion following daily activities. |
| Perceived Stress (PS) | Within 24 hours post-intervention. | This outcome measures the subjective psychological distress experienced by participants. It evaluates the extent to which participants perceive situations in their lives as uncontrollable, unpredictable, and overloaded, as assessed by the standardized Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). |
| Physical Activity Enjoyment (PAE) | Within 24 hours post-intervention. | This outcome evaluates the participant's affective response to the assigned exercise modality. It captures factors such as acute enjoyment, perceived satisfaction, and the psychological impact of logistical friction associated with the specific exercise protocol (ESG vs. TEG). |
Countries
China
Outcome results
None listed