The Effect of Different Physical Activity Strategy on Cognitive Efficiency and Mental Fatigue Resistance

NCT ID: NCT07130825

Last Updated: 2025-08-19

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 60 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-08-01
• Study Completion Date: 2031-03-01

Brief Summary

The main aim of this biomedical study is to determine the effect of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, before and after an 8-hour workday and a combined work model, on the performance and efficiency of cognitive functions during mental work.

There are lack of previous studies analysing the effects of different physical activity strategies on cognitive efficiency and investigating mental fatigue resistance. Limited research in this area shows that the mechanism of the effect of physical activity on mental fatigue resistance is still unclear. This research will aim to investigate different physical activity strategies, such as combined work model and moderate intensity physical activity before and after office workday, and their impact on a mental and emotional fatigue, cognitive efficiency, sympathetic and parasympathetic systems and metabolic indicators during mentally demanding 8 h workday.

Detailed Description

Prolonged sedentary behavior and sustained cognitive workload during typical office workdays contribute significantly to the onset of acute mental fatigue (Kunasegaran et al., 2023). This condition is linked to physiological mechanisms such as reduced cerebral blood flow, diminished glucose availability and transport to active brain regions (García et al., 2021; Kennedy & Scholey, 2000), as well as hormonal alterations (Miyashita & Williams, 2006; Wiehler et al., 2022). These changes negatively impact cognitive efficiency, motivation, and overall brain function (Kunasegaran et al., 2023; Tran et al., 2020). While existing evidence supports the positive influence of physical activity on physical and mental health (Calderwood et al., 2021; Jacquet et al., 2021), there remains a lack of research specifically examining how different physical activity strategies influence cognitive efficiency and resistance to mental fatigue.

This study aims to address this gap by investigating the effects of various physical activity interventions, including a combined work-exercise model and moderate-intensity aerobic exercise performed either before or after an 8-hour mentally demanding workday. Outcomes will focus on mental and emotional fatigue, cognitive efficiency, autonomic nervous system activity (sympathetic and parasympathetic balance), and metabolic responses. By evaluating these parameters, the study seeks to clarify the potential of targeted physical activity strategies to enhance mental fatigue resistance and support cognitive performance in occupational settings. The findings are expected to contribute valuable insight into the development of effective workplace interventions that promote employee well-being, productivity, and resilience.

Conditions

Healthy Adults

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Primary Study Purpose: PREVENTION
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Control

Healthy young subjects will participate in research "control" condition attending 8 h simulated working day. During simulated working day subjects will perform cognitive tasks (ANAM4, version 4; Vista Life Science, Norman, OK, USA) for 8 times (1 session 11 tests about 45 min). The effect of a mental workday on cognitive function indicators will be evaluated. Same participants will participate in 3 research trials (control, aerobic activity and combined work model).

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

8 hours simulated mental workday

Intervention Type: OTHER

During a simulated 8-hour mental work day, subjects will complete a set of cognitive tests (ANAM4, version 4; Vista Life Science, Norman, OK, USA) 8 times (1 session approximately 45 minutes), with a break of approximately 10 minutes after each session.

Aerobic activity

Healthy young subjects will participate in research "aerobic activity" condition attending 8 h simulated working day. Subjects will cycle 30 min on a veloergometer in a 50 % of maximal capacity before the cognitive tasks and after them (before and after simulated 8 h workday). During simulated working day subjects will perform cognitive tasks (ANAM4, version 4; Vista Life Science, Norman, OK, USA) for 8 times (1 session 11 tests about 45 min).

The effect of a moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity before and after 8 hours of a mental workday will be evaluated. Same participants will participate in 3 research trials (control, aerobic activity and combined work model).

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

8 hours simulated mental workday

Intervention Type: OTHER

During a simulated 8-hour mental work day, subjects will complete a set of cognitive tests (ANAM4, version 4; Vista Life Science, Norman, OK, USA) 8 times (1 session approximately 45 minutes), with a break of approximately 10 minutes after each session.

Moderate intensity aerobic activity

Intervention Type: OTHER

In one of the conditions, subjects will perform moderate intensity aerobic activity (cycle veloergometer) for 30 min before 8 hours simulated mental workday and after.

Combined work model

Healthy young subjects will participate in research "combined work model" condition attending 8 h simulated working day. Subjects will perform cognitive tasks applying combined work model, which means that participants will be changing their positions from sitting on a balance ball to standing while performing cognitive tasks. During simulated working day subjects will perform cognitive tasks (ANAM4, version 4; Vista Life Science, Norman, OK, USA). The effect of a the combined work model on cognitive functions indicators during a simulated 8 h mental working day will be evaluated. Same participants will participate in 3 research trials (control, aerobic activity and combined work model).

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

8 hours simulated mental workday

Intervention Type: OTHER

During a simulated 8-hour mental work day, subjects will complete a set of cognitive tests (ANAM4, version 4; Vista Life Science, Norman, OK, USA) 8 times (1 session approximately 45 minutes), with a break of approximately 10 minutes after each session.

Combined work model

Intervention Type: OTHER

In one of the conditions, subjects will perform cognitive test during 8 hours simulated mental workday applying combined work model (they will work standing and sitting on a balance ball).

Interventions

8 hours simulated mental workday

During a simulated 8-hour mental work day, subjects will complete a set of cognitive tests (ANAM4, version 4; Vista Life Science, Norman, OK, USA) 8 times (1 session approximately 45 minutes), with a break of approximately 10 minutes after each session.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Moderate intensity aerobic activity

In one of the conditions, subjects will perform moderate intensity aerobic activity (cycle veloergometer) for 30 min before 8 hours simulated mental workday and after.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Combined work model

In one of the conditions, subjects will perform cognitive test during 8 hours simulated mental workday applying combined work model (they will work standing and sitting on a balance ball).

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• BMI from 18.5 to 24.9 kg/ m2;
• No chronic non-communicable diseases;
• No mental illnesses or disorders;
• No cancer and no chemotherapy in the last 5 years;
• No hearing impairment;
• No smoking;
• No psychotropic substances;
• Heart rate (HR) about 60 bpm at rest;
• Unimpaired color vision;
• Unimpaired or corrected vision;
• Systolic blood pressure from 90 to 139 mmHg, and diastolic - from 50 to 89 mmHg at rest.

Exclusion Criteria

• mental, oncological, metabolic, cardiovascular, skeletal, muscular, respiratory system disorders or diseases, impaired color vision.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Lithuanian Sports University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Locations

Institute of Sport Science and Innovations

Kaunas, , Lithuania

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

Lithuania

Central Contacts

Marius Brazaitis, professor

Role: CONTACT

marius.brazaitis@lsu.lt

+37067059637

Aura Mažuolytė-Binderienė

Role: CONTACT

aura.mazuolyte-binderiene@stud.lsu.lt

+37061515610

Facility Contacts

Marius Brazaitis, PhD

Role: primary

marius.brazaitis@lsu.lt

Other Identifiers

LithuananianSportsU-23

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id