Cognition in Motion

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of low-intensity exercise on cognitive functioning during activity. Evaluation was accomplished by having participants perform standardized cognitive tests while in three forms of low-intensity exercise and then comparing results to performance when sitting.

Detailed Description
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While studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of exercise, even when low-intensity, on physical health, investigations into cognitive performance during these periods of activity are increasing in number. For changes in the workplace to occur, data needs to show that mental processing is not compromised while engaging in low-intensity exercise. In this current study, participants, after giving written consent, performed quantitative, computer-based cognitive tests to evaluate for differences in performance between active and sedentary conditions. The participants engaged in four activity modalities: sitting, standing, biking slowly on a stationary bicycle, and walking at 1mph. The validated tests used were immediate and delayed verbal recall, the color-word test based on the Stroop test, and the n-back test. Responses were scored according to both the speed in answering along with accuracy on each test. From the scores generated, effect sizes were calculated for sitting and compared to effect sizes for cumulative activity stations for statistical analysis.

Official Title
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Cognition in Motion: Attitudes, Utilization, and Cognitive Impact of Low Intensity Exercise Among Medical Students

Conditions
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Cognitive Performance During Physical Activity

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Experimental: Standing Modality
* Behavioral: Experimental: Biking Modality
* Behavioral: Experimental: Walking Modality
* Behavioral: No Intervention: Seated Modality


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Student at Baylor College of Medicine Able to perform low-intensity exercise Exclusion Criteria: Not a student at Baylor College of Medicine
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: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Factorial Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Standing Modality<br>Performance on computerized cognitive tests while standing at a desk. Experimental: Standing Modality | Behavioral: Experimental: Standing Modality<br>* Cognitive performance when standing<br>|
| Experimental: Biking Modality<br>Performance on computerized cognitive tests while biking at user's preferred speed on stationary bicycle. Experimental: Biking Modality | Behavioral: Experimental: Biking Modality<br>* Cognitive performance when biking slowly<br>|
| Experimental: Walking Modality<br>Performance on computerized cognitive tests while walking at 1mph. Experimental: Walking Modality | Behavioral: Experimental: Walking Modality<br>* Cognitive performance when walking at 1mph<br>|
| Other: Seated Modality<br>Performance on computerized cognitive tests while sitting. No Intervention: Seated Modality | Behavioral: No Intervention: Seated Modality<br>* Cognitive performance when sitting.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cognitive Testing Performance | Scores generated from cognitive testing | Starting in April 2012, participant enrollment was open for 41 months with data collection occurring immediately at the time of testing with no need for follow-up outcome measurements. |