Effects of Different Types of Exercise on BDNF and Cognitive Performance (Exercise-BDNF)

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

12 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-06-15

Study Completion Date

2025-12-15

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine the acute effects of different exercise intensities (low, moderate, high) on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, trail making test performance, and perceived sensation scale.

Method

This randomized crossover controlled trial aimes to examine the acute effects of four experimental conditions-high-intensity interval training (HIIT), moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), low-intensity continuous training (LICT), and a resting control (CTRL)-on cognitive performance (via the Stroop test, targeting executive function) and associated neurochemical responses (e.g., serum BDNF and blood lactate levels) in healthy young adults aged 18-25 years.

All participants will complete the four conditions in a randomized and counterbalanced manner. To ensure balanced exposure, they were assigned to one of four groups (n = 3 per group), each following a distinct condition order based on a Latin square design. This approach guaranteed that each session occurred equally across time points (sessions 1-4) and that the order minimized sequence effects by rotating the position of each condition relative to the others.

To control for potential carryover-particularly from elevated neurochemical responses following intense exercise (BDNF increases reported -no two high-intensity sessions will be scheduled consecutively. Where possible, higher and lower intensity protocols will be alternated. Furthermore, a seven-day interval separated each session to reduce residual physiological or cognitive effects.

The trial protocol was developed in line with CONSORT and SPIRIT guidelines, including relevant extensions for within-subject designs and non-pharmacological interventions. Participants were blinded to the study hypothesis (Pandis et al., 2017; Hopewell et al., 2025).

All exercise sessions will be conducted under supervision of a certified strength and conditioning coach to ensure consistency and adherence to protocol. in the morning (09:00-11:00) on a track and field pitch to control for chronobiological variation. Participants were instructed to avoid strenuous activity for 48 hours prior, abstain from alcohol and caffeine for 24 hours, and obtain at least 7-8 hours of sleep before each session. Dietary habits and general lifestyle were to remain unchanged throughout the study.

During the first visit, participants' body weight and body fat percentage were assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Resting heart rate was then recorded, followed by administration of the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 to determine maximal aerobic speed, aerobic capacity, and peak heart rate.

In the following four visits, each participant completed all experimental conditions. Each exercise session will begin with a standardized 10-minute warm-up, including light jogging, dynamic stretching, and movement preparation drills.

All exercise sessions were conducted on a standard track and field facility and lasted 40 minutes in total, consisting of a 10-minute standardized warm-up, 24 minutes of exercise, and a 5-minute recovery period. The exercise component was individually prescribed based on each participant's maximal aerobic speed, determined from the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1. All running distances were calculated individually using time × speed formulas based on each participant's maximal aerobic speed, ensuring workload equivalence across conditions.

* High-Intensity Interval Training: Participants ran at 110% of their MAS for 15-second intervals.
* Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training: Participants ran at a speed corresponding to 70-80% of their MAS.
* Low-Intensity Continuous Training: Participants ran continuously for 24 minutes at 50-60% of their MAS without breaks.
* Control: Participants remained seated at rest for the same duration (40 minutes), under the same environmental conditions and time schedule as the active conditions.

Venous blood samples were collected before and immediately after each session to assess neurochemical markers. Subsequently, cognitive performance was evaluated using the computerized Stroop test to measure executive function. Heart rate was continuously monitored during all exercise conditions using a Polar V800 device. Following each session, psychophysiological responses were assessed using the Rating of Perceived Exertion scale and the Exercise Enjoyment Scale.

Related Clinical Trials

Explore similar clinical trials based on study characteristics and research focus.

Determination of BDNF Peak Time in Different Types of Exercises

NCT07175831

BDNF Lactate Exercise Intensity +1 more

COMPLETED NA

Effects of Different Types of Exercise on Irisin and Cognitive Performance (Exercise-Irisin)

NCT07146490

Irisin Lactate Cognitive Function +1 more

COMPLETED NA

Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Cognitive Function and Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor in Young Adults

NCT02075944

Physical Conditioning, Human Cognition

COMPLETED NA

Acute Effects of Moderate Intensity Aerobic Exercise on Cognitive Functions in Young Adult Males

NCT05905081

Cognitive Change

COMPLETED NA

Comparison of High-Intensity Interval Training and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training in Mild Cognitive Impairment

NCT07248709

Mild Cognitive Impairment

RECRUITING NA

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Exercise Training BDNF Cognitive Functions Lactate Blood Increase

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Primary Study Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Participants

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Low Intensity Exercise Group (n=3)

They will be asked to perform low intensity exercise for the specified time, determined according to their maximal oxygen consumption capacity.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Low Exercise

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

• Low-Intensity Continuous Training (LICT): Participants will run continuously for 24 minutes at 50-60% of their MAS without breaks.

Moderate Intensity Exercise Group (n=3)

They will be asked to perform moderate intensity exercise for the specified time, determined according to their maximal oxygen consumption capacity.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Moderate-Intensity Exercise

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT): Participants will run at a speed corresponding to 70-80% of their MAS. The protocol consists of four 4-minute bouts, separated by 2-minute active recovery periods, during which participants performed light jogging. This pattern totaled 24 minutes of exercise.

High-Intensity Interval Training Group (n=3)

They will be asked to perform HIIT exercise for the specified time, determined according to their maximal oxygen consumption capacity.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

HIIT Exercise

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): Participants will run at 110% of their MAS for 15-second intervals, covering a pre-calculated distance during each bout. After each 15-second sprint, they will rest passively for 15 seconds and returned to their starting point. This will be repeated continuously for 3 minutes, constituting one set. A total of four 3-minute sets will be completed, interspersed with 3-minute passive rest periods, yielding a total exercise time of 24 minutes.

Control Group (n=3)

They will be asked to wait without exercising.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Low Exercise

• Low-Intensity Continuous Training (LICT): Participants will run continuously for 24 minutes at 50-60% of their MAS without breaks.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Moderate-Intensity Exercise

Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT): Participants will run at a speed corresponding to 70-80% of their MAS. The protocol consists of four 4-minute bouts, separated by 2-minute active recovery periods, during which participants performed light jogging. This pattern totaled 24 minutes of exercise.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

HIIT Exercise

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): Participants will run at 110% of their MAS for 15-second intervals, covering a pre-calculated distance during each bout. After each 15-second sprint, they will rest passively for 15 seconds and returned to their starting point. This will be repeated continuously for 3 minutes, constituting one set. A total of four 3-minute sets will be completed, interspersed with 3-minute passive rest periods, yielding a total exercise time of 24 minutes.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Other Intervention Names

Discover alternative or legacy names that may be used to describe the listed interventions across different sources.

Low Intensity Exercise Moderate Intensity Exercise

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Aged between 18 and 25 years
* No known medical condition that prevents participation in exercise
* Not currently using any pharmacological agents

Exclusion Criteria

* Experiencing any discomfort before, during, or after exercise
* Current or past diagnosis of pharmacological or doping substance use
* Engaging in regular exercise (more than 3 times per week) within the last 2 weeks
* History of alcohol or substance addiction
* Any other condition or factor that may prevent full participation in the study protocol

Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

25 Years

Eligible Sex

MALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes