The Effect of Duration and Frequency of Walking Exercise on Cognitive Functions: A Randomized Controlled Comparative Study
Phase: NA
Conditions: Cognitive Function and Well-Being, Healthy Participants, Walking
Sponsor: Gazi University

The Effect of Duration and Frequency of 
Walking Exercise on Cognitive Functions: 
A Randomized Controlled Comparative 
Study 
Faezeh Shamel1* and Zeynep Emir2 
 
 
 
 
 
Document Date: 
 
Start  Jan,01 2024 
End    Feb, 16 2024 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
1.1. Brief Background 
Physical activity is well-documented to provide benefits beyond physical health, including 
improvements in cognitive functions such as memory, attention, processing speed, and executive 
functions. Aerobic exercise, in particular, has been shown to enhance cognitive performance by 
promoting neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, cerebral blood flow, and reduced inflammation. 
Among all forms of aerobic activity, walking stands out due to its simplicity, low cost, and 
accessibility across various populations. 
While the benefits of exercise on cognition are established, there is limited consensus on the 
optimal duration and frequency required to achieve these effects. Health authorities like the 
World Health Organization (WHO) endorse accumulating physical activity in bouts of at least 10 
minutes throughout the day, but direct comparisons of short-duration, high-frequency versus 
long-duration, continuous walking on cognitive outcomes in young, healthy adults are sparse. 
1.2. Rationale for the Study 
Despite the evidence supporting exercise for cognitive enhancement, many individuals—
especially students and working adults—struggle to engage in long-duration workouts due to 
time constraints or physical limitations. Shorter, more frequent bouts of walking may offer a 
feasible alternative for achieving cognitive benefits. However, there is limited clinical evidence 
directly comparing these two approaches in a controlled, randomized trial setting. 
This study addresses a critical knowledge gap by evaluating whether three short walking 
sessions (10 minutes each) throughout the day are as effective as a single continuous 30-
minute session in improving cognitive function in sedentary young women. The results will help 
inform more accessible, time-efficient exercise prescriptions aimed at preserving and improving 
cognitive health. 
1.3. Objectives and Hypotheses 
Primary Objective: 
To compare the effects of two different walking protocols (short-duration vs. long-duration) on 
cognitive function, specifically processing speed and executive function, in sedentary young 
adult females over a 6-week intervention. 
Secondary Objective: 
To evaluate changes in attention, inhibition control, and overall cognitive flexibility through 
various subtests of the Stroop Test following each walking protocol. 

 
Primary Hypothesis (H₁): 
Both short-duration and long-duration walking exercise protocols will lead to significant 
improvements in cognitive performance after 6 weeks. 
Secondary Hypothesis (H₂): 
There will be no significant difference in cognitive improvement between the two groups, 
indicating that short, frequent bouts of walking are as effective as a longer, continuous session. 
2. Study Design 
This study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial using a parallel assignment model 
to compare the effects of two different walking protocols on cognitive function in sedentary 
young adult females. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either a short-
duration walking group or a long-duration walking group. The intervention period lasted for 
six weeks, with both groups engaging in walking exercise five days per week. 
The short-duration group (experimental arm) performed three separate 10-minute walking 
sessions daily, while the long-duration group (active comparator arm) completed one 
continuous 30-minute walking session per day. In both groups, walking was performed on a 
treadmill at 60% of each participant’s maximum heart rate, calculated using the formula (220 
- age). Heart rate was monitored during sessions using treadmill sensors and cross-checked with 
a pulse oximeter to ensure consistency. Standardized warm-up and cool-down periods were 
applied to both protocols. 
Randomization was conducted using the Research Randomizer tool (Version 4.0), and 
allocation concealment was maintained throughout the study. Although participants were aware 
of their assigned protocol (due to the nature of the intervention), the study employed double 
masking: the investigator supervising the exercise sessions and the outcomes assessor 
conducting cognitive tests were both blinded to group assignments to minimize bias. 
This design aimed to investigate whether short, frequent bouts of aerobic exercise provide 
comparable cognitive benefits to longer, continuous sessions, potentially offering a more flexible 
and accessible option for individuals with time constraints. 
3. 
This study was conducted at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Gazi University, in the Department of 
Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Gazi 
University with the record number 2023- 1134 to conduct the study.  
 

 
4. Participants 
Participants in this study were female individuals aged 18 to 25 years who maintained a 
sedentary lifestyle, defined as taking fewer than 5000 steps per day. Additional inclusion 
criteria included being a non-smoker, having the physical ability to walk on a treadmill, 
maintaining a work or school schedule compatible with the intervention schedule, and 
providing written informed consent. 
Exclusion criteria included having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or higher, a history of 
neurological or severe cardiovascular conditions, participation in another regular exercise 
program during the study period, any physical limitation that would interfere with safe 
walking, and pregnancy. These criteria were established to ensure the safety of participants and 
to maintain the homogeneity of the study population. 
 
5. Interventions 
Participants were randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups. The experimental 
group performed three 10-minute walking sessions per day, while the active comparator 
group completed one continuous 30-minute walking session per day. Both groups exercised 
five days per week for six weeks. The intensity of the exercise was standardized at 60% of the 
participant’s maximum heart rate, calculated using the formula (220 - age). Heart rate was 
continuously monitored using treadmill-integrated sensors and confirmed with pulse oximeter 
readings. Standardized warm-up and cool-down periods were integrated into both protocols. 
6. Outcomes 
The primary outcome of the study was the change in Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) 
scores from baseline to post-intervention (6 weeks), reflecting improvements in processing 
speed and executive function. 
Secondary outcomes included changes in performance on three subtests of the Stroop Test, 
which evaluated various aspects of cognitive function.  
7. Sample Size and Power 
A power analysis was conducted using G*Power 3.1 software. Based on an expected effect size 
of 0.5, a power of 95%, and a significance level of 0.05, the minimum required sample size 
was determined to be 34 participants, with 17 in each group. This calculation ensured that the 
study would be adequately powered to detect meaningful differences between groups. 
8. Randomization 

Randomization was performed using the online tool Randomizer.org (Version 4.0) to generate 
a computer-based random sequence, ensuring unbiased allocation of participants. A 1:1 
allocation ratio was used. Although participants were aware of their assigned walking 
schedules, both the investigator supervising the training sessions and the assessor 
performing the cognitive tests were blinded to group assignment to maintain objectivity in 
outcome evaluation. 
9. Data Collection and Management 
Cognitive function assessments were conducted at baseline and again after the 6-week 
intervention. All data were anonymized and stored securely in password-protected digital files 
accessible only to the research team. To ensure adherence, participants maintained daily exercise 
logs, and researchers conducted routine follow-ups throughout the intervention period. Any 
protocol deviations or dropouts were documented. 
 
10. Statistical Analysis Plan (SAP) 
Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 24. The normality of distribution for 
outcome variables was tested using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Independent samples t-tests were 
used to compare baseline values between groups, while ANCOVA was applied to adjust for any 
baseline differences when comparing post-intervention outcomes. Paired t-tests were used to 
evaluate within-group changes from baseline to post-intervention. 
Effect sizes were calculated using Cohen’s d to quantify the magnitude of observed changes. A 
p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Outliers were identified 
through z-score analysis and visual inspection of boxplots. In cases of dropout or incomplete 
data, listwise deletion was applied, and only participants who completed both pre- and post-tests 
were included in the final analysis.