The study will compare cognitive capacity, muscle utilization patterns, soft tissue seated pressure and caloric output during four seated conditions: 1. passive sitting in a regular chair; 2. passive sitting in an exercise chair; 3. sitting in the exercise chair during active dynamic exercise; and, 4. sitting in the chair during active static exercise.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
35
A chair-based exercise program using a specialized chair that allows participants to lift their body weight.
A chair-based exercise program performed using a specialized exercise chair equipped with a foot-operated lever. Participants repeatedly depress and release the foot-operated lever during the intervention period.
A chair-based exercise program performed using a specialized exercise chair equipped with a foot-operated lever. Participants depress and maintain pressure on the foot-operated lever during the intervention period.
Laboratory of Neuromuscular Research and Active Aging
Coral Gables, Florida, United States
RECRUITINGDifferences in cognitive performance among chair conditions as measured by the Psychomotor Vigilance Test in number of key depressions
Cognitive performance will be assessed using the 3-minute Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT). During the test, participants will press the space bar as quickly as possible in response to the appearance of a visual stimulus on a computer screen. Performance will be measured as the total number of valid responses recorded during the test. Higher values indicate greater alertness, sustained attention, and reaction speed.
Time frame: Approximately 3 minutes
Executive function among chair conditions as measured by the Stroop Test using words counted.
Executive function will be assessed using the Stroop Test, a cognitive task requiring participants to respond to color word stimuli. The outcome will be measured by total words counted, reported as the number of words.
Time frame: Approximately 5 minutes.
Executive function among chair conditions as measured by the Stroop Test using error rate.
Executive function will be assessed using the Stroop Test, a cognitive task requiring participants to respond to color word stimuli. The outcome will be measured by error rate, reported as the percentage of errors.
Time frame: Approximately 5 minutes.
Muscle activity among chair conditions using electromyography
Muscle activity will be assessed using surface electromyography (EMG). Muscle activation will be quantified as EMG amplitude, measured in microvolts (µV) from EMG recordings. Higher values indicate greater muscle activity.
Time frame: Approximately 45 minutes
Peak seated tissue pressure among chair conditions using a pressure sensitive mat
Seated tissue pressure will be assessed using a pressure-sensitive mat placed on the seat surface of each chair. Peak pressure will be recorded to quantify the highest pressure exerted at the seating interface during each chair condition, measured in kilopascals. Higher values indicate greater localized pressure on seated tissues.
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Time frame: Approximately 15 minutes
Metabolic cost of sitting among the chair conditions using a portable oxygen consumption unit
Metabolic cost during sitting will be assessed under each chair condition using a portable indirect calorimetry device. Participants will wear a facemask that measures oxygen consumption (VO₂) and carbon dioxide production (VCO₂). These measurements will be used to estimate energy expenditure during the sitting period. Higher values indicate greater metabolic cost.
Time frame: Approximately 25 minutes