Effects of a Complex, Partnered Martial Arts-based Intervention on Cognitive Processing.
Condition: Cognitive Change; Processing, Visual Spatial
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The investigators' study is designed to test whether prolonged exposure to a martial
      arts-based intervention (three complex, partner exercises based on Filipino, Chinese and Thai
      martial arts practices), can improve cognitive processing to a greater degree than resistive
      exercise of a similar intensity.
    

Detailed description: 
      This two-group randomized controlled trial will compare the effects of a martial arts
      intervention vs. resistive exercise condition. The martial arts intervention will consist of
      partnered, coordinated exercises drawn from south-east Asian martial arts, including
      Fillipino Kali, Chinese Wing Chun Kung Fu and Muay Thai (also known as Thai Boxing).
      Participants will be trained in the fundamental movements of the exercises known as hubud,
      chi sau and padwork. Participants will also have the history, cultural significance, risks
      and purpose of these exercises explained to them throughout the study.

      The resistive exercise comparator group will use a series of bodyweight resistance, band
      resistance and postural exercises to match the duration and exercise intensity of the martial
      arts intervention group, under the supervision of trained research assistants. Participants
      will also receive information on aerobic exercise and the Physical Activity Guidelines for
      Americans 2020.

      All participants, regardless of group, will be assessed for martial arts and exercise
      experience once at baseline.

      All participants will be tested for cognitive performance change. Baseline and follow-up
      computerized cognitive testing will take place at a specified testing facility and
      psychosocial questionnaires will be delivered remotely via a Qualtrics-powered survey. After
      baseline testing, participants will be asked to attend as many sessions (maximum 24 sessions)
      delivered over the course of an 8-week intervention period as they can, approximately 1 hour
      each. Follow-up testing will be administered more than 48 hours post-intervention to minimize
      established acute adaptive responses to exercise.

      The investigators hypothesize the martial arts training intervention group will exhibit a
      greater increase in performance of cognitive processing tasks when compared to less complex
      movement patterns involved in the resistive exercise group.
    

Intervention name(s): Martial Arts Training Group; Flexing, Toning and Balance
Intervention type(s): Behavioral; Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Participants in the experimental intervention group will attend as many of the 24 in-person training sessions as possible, and complete remote solo training at their leisure, for the duration of the intervention period. During the in-person sessions, they will be instructed in the three exercises practiced in the experimental group, known as hubud, chi sau and padwork. Hubud is a turn-based, partnered, coordination drill involving moves derived from numerous martial arts, most often seen in the Filipino martial art of Kali. Chi Sau is a simultaneous contact drill from Chinese Kung Fu, specifically the Wing Chun school. Padwork is an amalgam of punching and kicking combinations used against focus pads or padded sticks to improve coordination, most commonly seen in kickboxing and Muay Thai. Participants will aim to reach a level of comfort and competency in the basic, non-competitive aspects of these exercises by the end of their participation in this intervention.; Participants in the active comparator group will attend as many of the 24 in-person training sessions as possible, and complete remote solo training at their leisure, for the duration of the intervention period. During the in-person sessions, participants will start with a 5-minute warmup of basic joint mobilization exercises and dynamic stretching techniques. After this, participants will engage in a mild intensity circuit of exercises using resistance bands, bodyweight exercises and stability/balance exercises for approximately 50 minutes. The last 5 minutes of the session will be left for cooldown exercises and light stretching. Heartrate will be monitored regularly in order to prevent these exercises exceeding the relative intensity of the Martial Arts intervention group. Participants will be allowed to talk and interact with research assistants in order to keep socialization effects consistent across groups.
Other intervention name(s): Resistive Exercise Group; Active Comparison Group
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: The study is a single-blind randomized trial with parallel groups design involving an experimental exercise and an exercise comparison.
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Other
Keywords: Cognitive Performance; Complex movement; Skill Acquisition; Processing Speed