This study aims to examine the effects of different types of acute exercise on cognitive functions in healthy adults.
Acute exercise, a single session of exercise, has been shown to enhance cognitive functions. The meta-analysis research has suggested that such benefits might depend upon the types of exercise. However, the predominant types of exercise examined within this area of research are aerobic and resistance exercises. The effects of other types of exercises on cognitive functions are poorly understood. Accordingly, this study is going to examine the effects of different types of acute exercise \[i.e., aerobic exercise (AE), aerobic exercise with virtual reality (AE-VR), and combined exercise (CE)\] on cognitive functions. 140-180 healthy young adults will be recruited and then randomly assigned to the AE, AE-VR, CE, and Control groups for a 35-minute intervention. Cardiovascular fitness will be assessed beforehand. Additionally, Stroop tasks and several questionnaires will be conducted before and after the intervention. The targeted primary outcomes are changes in cognitive behavior performance (assessed by the Stroop tasks) and neuroelectrical indices (e.g., P3 of event-related potential). The secondary outcomes are the changes in exercise enjoyment, motivation, and emotion.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
160
The participants will ride the cycle ergometer for 35 minutes. The training consisted of a 5-minute warm-up period followed by 25 minutes of moderate exercise and a 5-minute recovery.
The participants will receive the 3D VR training program and ride the cycle ergometer at the same time. The training protocol is similar to the aerobic exercise group.
The intervention consists of 5-minutes aerobic warm-up, 25-minutes bodyweight exercise, and 5-minutes mindfulness meditation for recovery. The participants will follow the video to do the program.
Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, National Taiwan Normal University
Taipei, Taiwan
RECRUITINGInhibition performance: Changes in Stroop test performance
The computerized Stroop test will be administrated to assess participants' cognitive functions, and their changes in reaction time and accuracy will be examined.
Time frame: 30 minutes each at the pretest and posttest
Changes in neuroelectrical activities
The neuroelectrical activities during the computerized cognitive tasks will be recorded. The changes in the event-related potential (e.g., P3) will be analyzed.
Time frame: 30 minutes each at the pretest and posttest
Changes in physical activity enjoyment
The Chinese version of the physical activity enjoyment scale (PACES) questionnaire, with a total of 13 items, will be used to examine the changes in physical activity enjoyment. Participants will rate "how you feel at the moment about the exercise you have been doing" using a 7- point bipolar Likert scale, from 1 (I enjoy it) to 7 (I hate it).
Time frame: 5-10 minutes each at the pretest and posttest
Changes in motivation
The Chinese version of the Motivation for Future Use questionnaire will be used. The scale consists of 3 items and each item is scored on a Likert-type scale that ranges from 1 to 7, with higher scores indicating a higher level of motivation.
Time frame: 3-5 minutes each at the pretest and posttest
Changes in emotion
The Chinese version of the positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS) will be used to assess the changes in emotion levels. It is a self-reporting questionnaire consisting of two 10-item scales and each item is scored on a Likert-type scale that ranges from 1 (not at all) to 5 (very much).
Time frame: 5-10 minutes each at the pretest and posttest
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Participants will watch a 35-min video about exercise science.