High-intensity Functional Circuit Training and Cognitive Function

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The study investigates the acute effects of one bout of high-intensity functional circuit training on cognitive function against no-activity control and aerobic exercise.

Detailed Description
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Exercise has been shown to acutely improve cognitive function (CF). However, it is unknown as to how high-intensity functional circuit training (HIFCT) affects CF. This study aims to compare the acute effects of one HIFCT bout against an inactive control condition as well as against one bout of conventional aerobic exercise. Healthy participants will be randomly allocated to either a HIFCT group, an aerobic exercise group (walking) or an inactive control group. In the HIFCT group, participants perform a 15-minute workout, which is composed of functional exercise mimicking activities of daily living (e.g. squat, step-ups) and conducted in a circuit format. Each exercise is performed at all-out intensity for 20 seconds, followed by a 10-second break. Thus, the 15-min workout consists of 30 exercise intervals. In the control group, participants will be inactively seated for 15 minutes, reading sports brochures and literature. In the walking group, participants will walk at moderate intensity on a treadmill for 15 minutes. Outcomes assessed pre and post-workout include the stroop test, trail making test, stop-signal task, heart rate, subjective arousal, rate of perceived exertion and exercise enjoyment.

Official Title
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Acute Effects of High-intensity Functional Circuit Training on Cognitive Function: a Randomised, Controlled Trial

Conditions
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Exercise, Cognition

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Aerobic Exercise
* Other: High-intensity functional training
* Other: control


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 18-40 years Exclusion Criteria: severe orthopaedic, psychiatric, neurological, endocrine or cardiovascular disorders acute illness, not completely healed injuries muscle soreness pregnancy/nursing period

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: High-intensity functional training<br>all-out exercise | Other: High-intensity functional training<br>* functional exercises in circuit format at 20/10 s (work/rest) intervals, total duration 15 minutes<br>|
| Active Comparator: Aerobic exercise<br>walking | Other: Aerobic Exercise<br>* walking on a treadmill at moderate intensity, total duration 15 minutes<br>|
| Sham Comparator: control<br>sitting | Other: control<br>* physical inactivity, reading sports science literature, total duration 15 minutes<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| interference control | stroop test | 2 min | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| cognitive flexibility/visual orientation | trail making test | 2 min | 
| inhibitory control | stop-signal task | 2 min |