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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07806032

Acute Responses to Walking, Stair Climbing, and Functional Circuit Exercise

This study evaluated the acute physiological responses to three different exercise modalities in sedentary young men. Participants completed walking, stair climbing, and functional circuit exercise sessions in a randomized crossover design. Each exercise session lasted 20 minutes and was performed at a target intensity of 50% heart rate reserve (±5 beats/min), with at least 72 hours between sessions.

The study compared acute respiratory, metabolic, and neuromotor responses to the three exercise modalities. Pulmonary function was assessed using spirometry, blood lactate concentration was measured using capillary blood samples, and countermovement jump performance was assessed as an indicator of neuromuscular performance. Heart rate was continuously monitored during each exercise session.

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Key information

Conditions

Sedentary Behaviors Behavior Sedentary Behavior

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Malatya Turgut Ozal University

Malatya, 44100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Male sex.
  • Aged 18-30 years.
  • Classified as sedentary/insufficiently active according to the study eligibility criteria.
  • Able to safely complete the exercise protocols and study assessments.
  • Provided voluntary informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

  • Current cigarette or electronic cigarette use.
  • Known cardiovascular, respiratory, or metabolic disease.
  • Regular medication use that could affect physiological responses to exercise.
  • Acute infection within the previous 2 weeks.
  • Musculoskeletal conditions that could interfere with safe participation in the exercise protocols.
  • Any condition requiring medical evaluation before exercise participation.
  • Inability to obtain acceptable baseline spirometry measurements according to the study procedures.

Treatment and study plan

Walking Protocol

Behavioral

Participants performed a 20-minute walking exercise session at a target intensity of 50% heart rate reserve (HRR), maintained within ±5 beats/min of the individual target heart rate. Heart rate was continuously monitored throughout the exercise session.

Other names: WP

Stair Climbing Protocol

Behavioral

Participants performed a 20-minute stair climbing exercise session at a target intensity of 50% heart rate reserve (HRR), maintained within ±5 beats/min of the individual target heart rate. Heart rate was continuously monitored throughout the exercise session.

Other names: SP

Functional Circuit Protocol

Behavioral

Participants performed a 20-minute functional circuit exercise session at a target intensity of 50% heart rate reserve (HRR), maintained within ±5 beats/min of the individual target heart rate. The circuit consisted of chair sit-to-stand, reverse lunges, wall push-ups, high-knee marching, and low-impact mountain climbers performed on an elevated surface. Heart rate was continuously monitored throughout the exercise session.

Other names: FCP

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second (FEV1)

    Time frame: Baseline and 5 minutes after each exercise session

    Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was measured by spirometry before and 5 minutes after each exercise condition. The primary outcome was the change in FEV1 (ΔFEV1), calculated as post-exercise FEV1 minus pre-exercise FEV1 and expressed in liters (L). Measurements were obtained following standardized spirometry procedures.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)

    Time frame: Baseline and 5 minutes after each exercise session

    Forced vital capacity (FVC) was measured by spirometry before and 5 minutes after each exercise condition. The outcome was the change in FVC (ΔFVC), calculated as post-exercise FVC minus pre-exercise FVC and expressed in liters (L).

  2. Change in FEV1/FVC Ratio

    Time frame: Baseline and 5 minutes after each exercise session

    The FEV1/FVC ratio was assessed by spirometry before and 5 minutes after each exercise condition. The outcome was the change in FEV1/FVC ratio (ΔFEV1/FVC), calculated as the post-exercise value minus the pre-exercise value.

  3. Change in Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF)

    Time frame: Baseline and 5 minutes after each exercise session

    Peak expiratory flow (PEF) was measured by spirometry before and 5 minutes after each exercise condition. The outcome was the change in PEF (ΔPEF), calculated as the post-exercise PEF minus the pre-exercise PEF and expressed in liters per second (L/s).

  4. Change in Blood Lactate Concentration

    Time frame: Baseline and 3 minutes after each exercise session

    Capillary blood lactate concentration was measured before exercise and 3 minutes after each exercise condition. The outcome was the change in blood lactate concentration (ΔLactate), calculated as the post-exercise value minus the pre-exercise value and expressed in millimoles per liter (mmol/L).

  5. Change in Countermovement Jump Height (CMJ)

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately after post-exercise spirometry initiated at 5 minutes after each exercise session

    Countermovement jump (CMJ) height was assessed before and after each exercise condition. The outcome was the change in CMJ height (ΔCMJ), calculated as the post-exercise value minus the pre-exercise value and expressed in centimeters (cm).

  6. Mean Heart Rate During Exercise

    Time frame: During each 20-minute exercise session

    Heart rate was continuously monitored throughout each exercise condition. Mean heart rate was calculated across the exercise period and expressed in beats per minute (bpm).

  7. Maximum Heart Rate During Exercise

    Time frame: During each 20-minute exercise session

    Heart rate was continuously monitored throughout each exercise condition. Maximum heart rate was defined as the highest heart rate recorded during the exercise period and expressed in beats per minute (bpm).

  8. Time Spent in the Target Heart Rate Range

    Time frame: During each 20-minute exercise session

    Heart rate was continuously monitored throughout each exercise condition. The outcome was the percentage of exercise time during which heart rate remained within ±5 beats/min of the individualized target heart rate corresponding to 50% heart rate reserve (HRR)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Malatya Turgut Ozal University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Acute Metabolic, Respiratory, and Neuromotor Responses to Walking, Stair Climbing, and Functional Circuit Exercise in Sedentary Individuals: A Heart Rate-Controlled Randomized Crossover Study

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Sep 8, 2026
Registry last updated
Sep 8, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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