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NCT Number: NCT07837661

Prefrontal Hemodynamics and Working Memory After Exhaustive Aquatic Exercise

This study compared prefrontal cortex hemodynamics and working memory performance following exhaustive aquatic exercise between endurance athletes and physically active individuals. Twenty-two healthy male participants aged 18-30 years, including 10 endurance athletes and 12 physically active controls, completed an incremental stepping exercise to exhaustion during head-out water immersion. The exercise was performed on a 20-cm step at xiphoid-level water depth, with cadence beginning at 18 steps/min and increasing by 2 steps/min every 30 seconds. Approximately 5 minutes after exercise, participants completed a seated 2-back working memory task while prefrontal cortex hemodynamic responses were assessed using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Cognitive performance and prefrontal hemodynamic responses were compared between the two groups.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy Participants

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Manisa Celal Bayar University, Faculty of Sport Sciences, PERFORMS Laboratory

Manisa, 45040, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Healthy males aged 18-30 years.
  • Endurance athletes or physically active individuals according to the study's predefined group criteria.
  • Able to perform the aquatic stepping exercise protocol and complete the 2-back working memory task.
  • Provided written informed consent to participate.

Exclusion criteria

  • Presence of cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, metabolic, musculoskeletal, or psychiatric conditions that could affect exercise performance or cognitive assessment.
  • Use of medications or substances that could influence cognitive function, cardiovascular responses, or exercise tolerance.
  • Inability to safely perform the aquatic exercise protocol or complete the study procedures.

Treatment and study plan

Incremental Exhaustive Aquatic Stepping Exercise

Other

Participants performed stepping exercise on a 20-cm step during head-out water immersion at approximately xiphoid depth and approximately 30 °C water temperature. The protocol began at 18 steps/min, with cadence increasing by 2 steps/min every 30 seconds, and continued until exhaustion.

Primary outcomes

  1. Prefrontal Oxygenated Hemoglobin (HbO) During the 2-Back Task

    Time frame: During the 2-back task beginning 5 minutes after exercise cessation

    Whole-prefrontal oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO) was assessed using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during the post-exercise 2-back task. HbO represents a baseline-referenced relative concentration change referenced to the 30-s post-exercise pre-task resting baseline and averaged across the five 2-back blocks.

  2. Prefrontal Deoxygenated Hemoglobin (HbR) During the 2-Back Task

    Time frame: During the 2-back task beginning 5 minutes after exercise cessation

    Whole-prefrontal deoxygenated hemoglobin (HbR) was assessed using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during the post-exercise 2-back task. HbR represents a baseline-referenced relative concentration change referenced to the 30-s post-exercise pre-task resting baseline and averaged across the five 2-back blocks.

  3. Correct Responses During the 2-Back Task

    Time frame: During the 2-back task beginning 5 minutes after exercise cessation

    Number of correct responses (hits) to target trials during the 2-back working memory task, pooled across five blocks.

  4. Incorrect Responses During the 2-Back Task

    Time frame: During the 2-back task beginning 5 minutes after exercise cessation

    Number of incorrect responses (false alarms) to non-target trials during the 2-back working memory task, pooled across five blocks.

  5. Reaction Time for Correct Responses During the 2-Back Task

    Time frame: During the 2-back task beginning 5 minutes after exercise cessation

    Reaction time, in seconds, for correct responses (hits) during the 2-back working memory task, pooled across five blocks.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Prefrontal Total Hemoglobin (HbT) During the 2-Back Task

    Time frame: During the 2-back task beginning 5 minutes after exercise cessation

    Whole-prefrontal total hemoglobin (HbT), calculated as HbO + HbR, was assessed during the post-exercise 2-back task. HbT represents a secondary derived, baseline-referenced relative concentration change referenced to the 30-s post-exercise pre-task resting baseline and averaged across the five 2-back blocks.

Interested in participating?

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Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Manisa Celal Bayar University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Prefrontal Cortex Hemodynamics and Working Memory After Exhaustive Aquatic Exercise in Endurance Athletes and Physically Active Controls: an fNIRS Study

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Sep 23, 2026
Registry last updated
Sep 25, 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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