Cigarette smoking is associated with adverse cardiovascular, respiratory, and cognitive effects. Acute aerobic exercise may influence cardiovascular workload, respiratory function, and cognitive performance; however, evidence comparing the immediate effects of different exercise intensities in people who smoke remains limited. This randomized controlled trial investigated the immediate effects of a single high-intensity versus low-intensity treadmill exercise session on rate-pressure product, spirometric outcomes, and cognitive performance in female healthcare professionals working in special education settings who smoke. The study provides information on the immediate cardiovascular, respiratory, and cognitive responses to different intensities of treadmill exercise in this population.
Primary Objective To compare the immediate effects of a single high-intensity versus low-intensity treadmill exercise session on cardiovascular workload, as assessed by the baseline-to-postexercise change in rate-pressure product, in female healthcare professionals working in special education settings who smoke. Secondary Objectives To compare the immediate effects of a single high-intensity versus low-intensity treadmill exercise session on spirometric outcomes, including forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, the FEV₁/FVC ratio, and peak expiratory flow, in female healthcare professionals working in special education settings who smoke. To compare the immediate effects of a single high-intensity versus low-intensity treadmill exercise session on cognitive performance, as assessed using the Stroop Test and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, in female healthcare professionals working in special education settings who smoke. Study Questions Did a single high-intensity treadmill exercise session produce a greater immediate rate-pressure-product response than a single low-intensity treadmill exercise session in female healthcare professionals working in special education settings who smoke? Did the immediate changes in spirometric outcomes differ between the high-intensity and low-intensity treadmill exercise groups? Did the immediate changes in Stroop Test and Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores differ between the high-intensity and low-intensity treadmill exercise groups? Study Hypothesis It was hypothesized that high-intensity treadmill exercise would elicit a greater immediate rate-pressure-product response and different acute respiratory and cognitive responses than low-intensity treadmill exercise in female healthcare professionals working in special education settings who smoke.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
30
high intensity exercise
low intensity exercise
Istanbul Gedik University
Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
Rate-Pressure Product (RPP)
Rate-pressure product (RPP) is calculated by multiplying heart rate (beats/min) by systolic blood pressure (mmHg) and dividing the result by 100. RPP provides an index of myocardial oxygen demand and cardiac workload. There is no fixed minimum or maximum value. Higher RPP values indicate greater myocardial workload and oxygen consumption.
Time frame: Duration of change in 1 day.
The Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND)
The Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) is a 6-item questionnaire used to assess the level of nicotine dependence. Total scores range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating greater nicotine dependence.
Time frame: Duration of change in 1 day.
Cognitive status measurement with MOCA
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a screening tool used to assess global cognitive function, including attention, executive function, memory, language, visuospatial ability, abstraction, calculation, and orientation. Total scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive function.
Time frame: Duration of change in 1 day.
Cognitive status measurement with Stroop Test
The Stroop Test assesses selective attention, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control. The primary outcome is the completion time (seconds) required to complete the interference condition. There is no fixed minimum or maximum value. Shorter completion times indicate better cognitive performance, whereas longer completion times indicate poorer cognitive performance.
Time frame: Duration of change in 1 day.
FEV1 Measurement
Respiratory Function Test. The COSMED microQuark spirometer used. Lung volume was evaluated. Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV₁) is measured using spirometry and represents the volume of air (liters) that can be forcibly exhaled during the first second of a forced expiration. There is no fixed minimum or maximum value. Higher FEV₁ values indicate better pulmonary function.
Time frame: Duration of change in 1 day.
FVC Measurement
Respiratory Function Test. The COSMED microQuark spirometer used. Lung volume was evaluated. Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) is measured using spirometry and represents the total volume of air (liters) that can be forcibly exhaled after a maximal inspiration. There is no fixed minimum or maximum value. Higher FVC values indicate better pulmonary function.
Time frame: Duration of change in 1 day.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.