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

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The present study will investigate the effects of aerobic exercise on cognition and growth factors including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in young adults aged 15-21 years. The included subjects will be randomized to three different groups including one control group and two exercise groups. Subjects randomized to the exercise groups will complete 30 minutes of aerobic exercise 3 times a week for 9 weeks incorporating low (group I) or high (group II) intensity aerobic exercise. The exercise will be conducted as running or indoor cycling (supervised). At baseline and 9-weeks follow-up all subjects will complete two cognitive tests (measures of concentration and sustained attention), a maximal cycling test (direct measures of VO2max), an intelligence quotient test, anthropometric measures, fasting blood samples and blood samples immediately following the cycling test. The blood samples will be analyzed for growth factors including BDNF and metabolic factors.

Official Title
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Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Cognitive Function and Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor in Young Adults Aged 15-21 Years

Conditions
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Physical Conditioning, Human, Cognition

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: High intensity aerobic exercise
* Behavioral: Low intensity aerobic exercise


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: age 15-21 Exclusion Criteria: injury preventing one from being physically active

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 15 Years
Maximum Age: 21 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: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Factorial Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: High intensity aerobic exercise<br>30 minutes of high intensity aerobic exercise 3 times a weeks for 9 weeks - incorporation interval training | Behavioral: High intensity aerobic exercise<br> <br> |
| Experimental: Low intensity aerobic exercise<br>30 minutes of low intensity aerobic exercise 3 times a weeks for 9 weeks | Behavioral: Low intensity aerobic exercise<br> <br> |
| No Intervention: Control<br>No intervention. Participants are told not to make any changes in their everyday life | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The Flanker Task |  | 9 weeks | 
| The AX-Continuous Performance test |  | 9 weeks | 
| Brain-derived neurotrophic factor |  | 9 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Intelligence quotient |  | 9 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Aerobic exercise, Cognitive function, Executive function, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor