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The Effects of Externally Paced Exercise on Cognitive Performance and Stress in College Aged Students

The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details.
 
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04676542
Recruitment Status : Completed
First Posted : December 21, 2020
Last Update Posted : May 27, 2021
Sponsor:
Information provided by (Responsible Party):
New York Institute of Technology

Study Description
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Brief Summary:
The purpose of the study is to investigate the acute effect of martial art exercise and aerobic exercise on cognitive performance in college age students. Cognitive performance is a term that encompasses our cognitive processes such as working memory, and executive functioning (decision making); research has found that externally paced (EP) exercise improves cognitive performance and executive functioning (EF). EP activities require decision making skills and higher-level executive functioning. Previous research studies have shown that acute as well as long term aerobic exercise improves cognitive performance Internally paced (IP) exercise requires less attention on task, which may result in less significant improvements in cognitive performance and executive function. However, there is limited research examining the effect that martial art exercise has on these higher-level cognitive functions.Theoretically, the martial art class will improve provide greater stimulation to the higher levels of the brain, causing a greater improvement in the executive function scores when compared to walking. This leads to the question, are externally paced aerobic activities more effective than an acute bout of aerobic exercise in improving executive function in college-aged adults? The investigators hypothesized that martial art training will have a greater impact on executive functioning than aerobic exercise in college-aged adults.

Condition or disease Intervention/treatment Phase
Cognitive Performance Other: Exercise Not Applicable

Detailed Description:
The purpose of the study is to investigate the acute effect of a beginner martial art class and aerobic exercise on cognitive performance in college age students. Cognitive performance is a term that encompasses our cognitive processes such as working memory, and executive functioning (response inhibition); research has found that externally paced (EP) exercise improves cognitive performance and executive functioning (EF). EP activities require decision making skills and higher-level executive functioning. Internally paced (IP) exercise requires less attention on task, which may result in less significant improvements in cognitive performance and executive function. Previous research studies have shown that acute as well as long term aerobic exercise improves cognitive performance. However, there is limited research examining the effect that a martial art class, an external paced exercise, has on these higher-level cognitive functions in college -aged subjects. A study performed by Douris et. al provides a more accurate measure of EP exercise and cognition. Martial arts were used as the complex EP activity. EF in the martial arts group showed greater improvement than the aerobic exercise condition. This was attributed to the complexities of the movement patterns and the associated cortical demands. This study aligns with our current belief that EP activities will have a greater effect than IP activities. The research on the comparison of martial art exercise (externally paced exercise) versus aerobic exercise (internally paced exercise) on executive function is limited to the previous study by the principal investigator utilizing experienced middle-aged martial artists and we presently intend to investigate college aged adults as compared to the previously investigated middle -aged..The current study looks to determine how complex exercise would impact executive functioning. Martial art training requires reactionary movements, quick thinking and decision making, all of which are components of EF. Walking is a relatively simple task that does not require much conscious or cortical control. The investigators plan to have the participants participate in a beginning martial art class and a one hour walk.. Theoretically, the martial art class will improve provide greater stimulation to the higher levels of the brain, causing a greater improvement in the executive function scores when compared to walking. This leads to the question, are externally paced aerobic activities more effective than an acute bout of aerobic exercise in improving executive function in college-aged adults? The proposed research design will be utilizing a randomized cross over repeated measures design. The independent variables are the two one-hour conditions and the dependent variables are the change in Stroop test scores, and stress Visual Analog Scale (VAS) results. In order to test the hypothesis, the investigators will perform a dependent t-test for each dependent variable. An alpha level of p<0.05 will be used for all statistical comparisons. The hypothesis is that an externally paced activity such as martial art exercise will have a greater effect on enhancing executive functioning and will improve stress levels in college aged young adults when compared to an internally paced activity such as walking.
Study Design
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Study Type : Interventional  (Clinical Trial)
Actual Enrollment : 16 participants
Allocation: N/A
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Intervention Model Description: The proposed research design will be utilizing a randomized cross over repeated measures design. Subjects will take part in two separate conditions: 1) One hour of a beginning martial art class (EP), and 2) One hour walk at 4.0 mph pace (IP).The independent variables are the two conditions and the dependent variables are processing speed, attention, executive function (Stroop Color and Word tests), and a stress visual analog scale
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary Purpose: Treatment
Official Title: The Effects of Externally Paced Exercise on Cognitive Performance and Stress in College Aged Students
Actual Study Start Date : March 1, 2021
Actual Primary Completion Date : May 1, 2021
Actual Study Completion Date : May 1, 2021
Arms and Interventions
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Arm Intervention/treatment
Experimental: One group taking part in 2 separate conditions
The proposed research design will be utilizing a randomized cross over repeated measures design. Subjects will take part in two separate conditions: 1) One hour of a beginning martial art class (EP), and 2) One hour walk at 4.0 mph pace (IP).
 Other: Exercise
One hour of a beginning martial art class ,and a one hour walk at 4.0 mph pace.


Outcome Measures
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Primary Outcome Measures :
  1. Executive function [ Time Frame: 10 minutes ]
    For the Stroop tests: the subject will be asked to read words of colors, state the colors of various letters to test processing speed. Subjects will also state the color of the font of a word when the actual word describes a conflicting color. This tests response inhibition, which is a subdivision of executive function. Tower of London which entails a subject is shown the correct organization and is given a specific number of moves to accomplish the task which tests for the problem solving domain of executive function


Secondary Outcome Measures :
  1. Stress [ Time Frame: 2 minutes ]
    Visual Analog Scale 0-10


Eligibility Criteria
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Ages Eligible for Study:   18 Years to 30 Years   (Adult)
Sexes Eligible for Study:   All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   Yes
Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age range: 18-30 years
  • Good overall health
  • Exercise at least two days/week

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Any cardiopulmonary conditions including asthma within the last 6 months.
  • Any major musculoskeletal injuries (i.e. torn ligaments, bone fractures, etc.) over the last 6 months.
  • Any other health issues that would interfere with a subject's safety during exercise.
  • Any auditory/vestibular impairments.
  • Uncorrected visual problems and color blindness.
Contacts and Locations
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Information from the National Library of Medicine

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT04676542


Locations
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United States, New York
New York Institute of Technology
Old Westbury, New York, United States, 11568
Sponsors and Collaborators
New York Institute of Technology
Investigators
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Principal Investigator: Peter Douris New York Institute of Technology
More Information
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Publications:

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Responsible Party: New York Institute of Technology
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04676542    
Other Study ID Numbers: BHS-1535
First Posted: December 21, 2020    Key Record Dates
Last Update Posted: May 27, 2021
Last Verified: March 2021
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement:
Plan to Share IPD: Yes
Plan Description: All IPD that underlie results in a publication
Supporting Materials: Study Protocol
Informed Consent Form (ICF)
Time Frame: 6 months after publication
Access Criteria: All requests will be reviewed by the principal investigator

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Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: No
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: No
Keywords provided by New York Institute of Technology:
Martial Arts, Walking, Cognitive Performance,Stress