Impact of High-Volume Upper Limb Training on Physical and Cognitive Outcomes

NCT ID: NCT06754579

Last Updated: 2026-01-21

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 32 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-01-01
• Study Completion Date: 2026-12-30

Brief Summary

Engaging in regular and appropriately structured physical activities is a critical component of an individual's lifestyle and represents a lifelong habit essential for promoting overall well-being. Research increasingly emphasizes the significance of such activities, particularly in the prevention and management of various health conditions (Martin, Richardson, Weiller, & Jackson, 2004).A sedentary lifestyle is considered one of the most serious health issues faced by individuals in the modern world.Previous research has established high-intensity interval training (HIIT) as an effective method for enhancing cardiovascular health, sparking interest in the relationship between exercise intensity and cognitive function. Most studies to date have focused on treadmill and lower extremity ergometer exercises; however, evidence regarding the efficacy of high-volume upper extremity exercises in improving physical and cognitive performance among sedentary adults remains limited and inconsistent. Upper extremity motor function has been proposed as a potential biomarker for cognitive impairment and may contribute to distinguishing healthy aging trajectories. This study aims to compare the effects of high-volume and low-volume upper extremity exercise in sedentary adults, testing the hypothesis that one exercise regimen may be superior in enhancing both physical and cognitive performance, as well as cognitive function.

Detailed Description

Engaging in regular, well-structured physical activities is a cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle and constitutes a lifelong habit essential for sustaining overall health and well-being. Such activities have been increasingly recognized for their vital role in preventing and managing a wide range of health conditions, emphasizing their importance for both physical and mental health (Martin, Richardson, Weiller, & Jackson, 2004). Conversely, a sedentary lifestyle has emerged as one of the most pressing public health challenges of the modern era, contributing significantly to the global burden of disease and highlighting the need for effective intervention strategies.

Among these strategies, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has gained widespread attention for its efficacy in improving cardiovascular health. This has, in turn, sparked growing interest in understanding the broader impact of exercise intensity, particularly its effects on cognitive function. However, much of the existing research has concentrated on lower extremity exercises, such as those performed on treadmills or ergometers, leaving a significant gap in the understanding of the benefits of upper extremity exercises. The role of high-volume upper extremity exercise in enhancing both physical and cognitive performance remains underexplored, with current evidence presenting inconsistent and conflicting findings.

Notably, upper extremity motor function has been identified as a promising biomarker for cognitive impairment. Its assessment may provide critical insights into distinguishing healthy aging trajectories from pathological cognitive decline. This connection underscores the potential importance of upper extremity exercises as a tool for both physical and cognitive health maintenance in sedentary populations.

The present study aims to address these gaps by comparing the effects of high-volume and low-volume upper extremity exercise regimens on sedentary adults. Specifically, the research seeks to test the hypothesis that one of these exercise modalities may offer superior benefits in enhancing physical performance, cognitive performance, and overall cognitive function. By investigating these relationships, the study aims to contribute to the growing body of evidence on exercise-based interventions, offering novel insights into strategies for optimizing health outcomes in sedentary individuals.

Conditions

Sedentary Behavior

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

High-Volume Upper Extremity Exercises Training

The High volume upper extremity protocol consists of a 5-min warm-up at 60%-70% of max HR using an arm ergometer, followed by four 4-min work sessions reaching 90%-95% of max W, followed by a 3-min active recovery period at 60% max W. The exercise session is terminated by a 5-min cool-down at 60%-70% max W. The total exercise duration will be 35 minutes.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

High-Volume Upper Extremity Exercises Training

Intervention Type: OTHER

The group will be trained 3 days a week for a total of 8 weeks.

Low Volume Upper Extremity Exercises Training

Low volume upper extremity exercise training will be applied using an arm ergometer consisting of a 5-minute warm-up at 40% of max W, followed by 25 minutes of active training at 60-70% of max W and a 5-minute cool-down at 40% of max.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Low Volume Upper Extremity Exercises Training

Intervention Type: OTHER

The group will be trained 3 days a week for a total of 8 weeks.

Interventions

High-Volume Upper Extremity Exercises Training

The group will be trained 3 days a week for a total of 8 weeks.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Low Volume Upper Extremity Exercises Training

The group will be trained 3 days a week for a total of 8 weeks.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Individuals aged between 18-50 years.
• Defined as engaging in less than 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week

Exclusion Criteria

• diagnosis of neurological, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, or other systemic diseases that may affect physical activity or exercise capacity.
• diagnosed cognitive impairments or psychiatric disorders that could interfere with test participation.
• acute injuries or surgeries within the past six months that could restrict movement or participation.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 50 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Tarsus University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Fatma Kübra ÇEKOK

Asst.prof

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Fatma Kübra Çekok

Tarsus, Mersi̇n, Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Facility Contacts

Fatma K Çekok, PhD.

Role: primary

kubracekok@tarsus.edu.tr

05434857545

Nurel Ertürk, PhD.

Role: backup

nurelerturk@tarsus.edu.tr

05434857545

Other Identifiers

3

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id