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NCT Number: NCT07400432

Acute Effects of Moderate-Intensity Continuous Exercise Versus HIIT on Cognitive Performance and Psychophysiological Responses in Physically Active Adults

This study aims to compare the immediate effects of two common types of exercise-moderate-intensity continuous exercise and high-intensity interval training (HIIT)-on attention, alertness, and physiological responses in physically active young adults.

Attention and mental alertness are essential for learning, academic performance, and daily functioning. Previous research suggests that a single session of exercise can temporarily improve cognitive performance, but it is not clear whether moderate exercise or high-intensity interval exercise is more effective in producing these immediate benefits.

In this study, participants will complete two supervised treadmill exercise sessions on separate days: one session of moderate-intensity continuous exercise and one session of high-intensity interval training. The order of the two exercise sessions will be randomized, and there will be a rest period of 48 to 72 hours between sessions.

Before and immediately after each exercise session, participants will complete computerized cognitive tests that measure sustained attention and reaction time. Heart rate, oxygen saturation, perceived exertion, mood, and alertness will also be measured to evaluate physiological and psychological responses to exercise.

By comparing the effects of these two exercise approaches within the same individuals, this study aims to identify which type of exercise leads to better immediate cognitive performance and favorable physiological responses. The findings may help guide exercise recommendations for improving attention, alertness, and overall mental performance in young adults.

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Key information

Conditions

Sustained Attention Behavior Cognitive Performance Cognitive Performance During Physical Activity Motor Activity

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Qassim University

Buraidah, Al-Qassim Region, 2100, Saudi Arabia

About this study

This study is a randomized within-subject crossover clinical trial designed to compare the acute effects of moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on cognitive performance and psychophysiological responses in physically active young adults.

Each participant will complete two supervised treadmill exercise sessions-one MICE session and one HIIT session-on separate days, with a 48-72-hour washout period. The order of the two exercise conditions will be randomized using a computer-generated sequence. This crossover design allows each participant to serve as their own control, reducing inter-individual variability and increasing statistical power.

Cognitive performance will be assessed immediately before and after each exercise session using validated computerized tests of sustained attention and vigilance, including the Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART) and the Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT). Primary cognitive outcomes will include reaction time, accuracy, response inhibition, and attentional lapses.

Psychophysiological responses will be monitored throughout the exercise sessions and immediately post-exercise. These include heart rate, oxygen saturation, rating of perceived exertion, mood, and alertness. Exercise intensity will be prescribed based on percentages of age-predicted maximum heart rate and continuously monitored to ensure protocol adherence and participant safety.

Data will be analyzed using within-subject statistical comparisons to evaluate differences between exercise conditions. The findings are expected to provide evidence on how acute exercise intensity influences immediate cognitive and physiological responses, informing exercise recommendations for optimizing attention and alertness in young adults.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged between 18 and 30 years.
  • Physically active individuals, as assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).
  • In good general health.
  • Cleared for physical activity participation based on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q).
  • Enrolled as university students.
  • Able and willing to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

  • History of cardiovascular, neurological, or musculoskeletal disorders that may affect exercise safety or cognitive performance.
  • Presence of uncontrolled hypertension, recent concussion, or any medical condition contraindicating exercise.
  • Use of medications that may influence cognition, mood, or cardiovascular responses.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Failure to pass PAR-Q screening without medical clearance.
  • Heavy smoking or history of substance abuse.
  • Visual or hearing impairments that could interfere with computerized cognitive task performance.

Treatment and study plan

Moderate-Intensity Continuous Exercise (MICE)

Other

Participants perform continuous treadmill exercise for 20 minutes at 60-70% of age-predicted maximum heart rate. Each session includes a standardized warm-up period of approximately 3 minutes and a cool-down period of 2-3 minutes. Heart rate, oxygen saturation, and rating of perceived exertion are monitored throughout the session to ensure adherence to the target intensity and participant safety.

Other names: Moderate Aerobic Exercise, Continuous Aerobic Exercise

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

Other

Participants perform treadmill-based high-intensity interval training consisting of repeated short bouts of exercise at 85-95% of age-predicted maximum heart rate, interspersed with brief recovery periods. Total session duration is approximately 20 minutes, including standardized warm-up and cool-down periods. Heart rate, oxygen saturation, and rating of perceived exertion are continuously monitored to ensure safety and protocol compliance.

Other names: High-Intensity Interval Exercise, Interval Aerobic Training

Primary outcomes

  1. Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART) Performance

    Time frame: Immediately before each exercise session (within the same day for both intervention conditions)

    Sustained attention and response inhibition will be assessed using the Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART). Outcome variables will include reaction time, accuracy, commission errors, and omission errors, reflecting participants' ability to maintain sustained attention and inhibitory control following acute exercise.

  2. Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART) Performance

    Time frame: immediately after each exercise session (within the same day for both intervention conditions)

    Sustained attention and response inhibition will be assessed using the Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART). Outcome variables will include reaction time, accuracy, commission errors, and omission errors, reflecting participants' ability to maintain sustained attention and inhibitory control following acute exercise.

  3. Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) Performance

    Time frame: Immediately before each exercise session (within the same day for both intervention conditions)

    Vigilance and reaction time will be evaluated using the Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT). Outcome variables will include mean reaction time, number of attentional lapses, and response accuracy, reflecting participants' sustained alertness following acute exercise.

  4. Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) Performance

    Time frame: immediately after each exercise session (within the same day for both intervention conditions)

    Vigilance and reaction time will be evaluated using the Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT). Outcome variables will include mean reaction time, number of attentional lapses, and response accuracy, reflecting participants' sustained alertness following acute exercise.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Heart Rate Response During and After Exercise

    Time frame: During each exercise session

    Heart rate will be continuously monitored during each exercise session and recorded at baseline, during exercise, and immediately post-exercise to evaluate physiological responses to moderate-intensity continuous exercise and high-intensity interval training.

  2. Heart Rate Response During and After Exercise

    Time frame: Immediately after each exercise session

    Heart rate will be continuously monitored during each exercise session and recorded at baseline, during exercise, and immediately post-exercise to evaluate physiological responses to moderate-intensity continuous exercise and high-intensity interval training.

  3. Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂) Response

    Time frame: During each exercise session

    Peripheral oxygen saturation will be measured using a pulse oximeter before, during, and immediately after each exercise session to assess acute cardiorespiratory responses to exercise intensity.

  4. Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂) Response

    Time frame: Immediately after each exercise session

    Peripheral oxygen saturation will be measured using a pulse oximeter before, during, and immediately after each exercise session to assess acute cardiorespiratory responses to exercise intensity.

  5. Rating of Perceived Exertion Assessed by the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale (6-20)

    Time frame: During each exercise session

    Perceived exertion will be assessed using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Scale (6-20) during and immediately after each exercise session to evaluate subjective exercise intensity and effort. The scale ranges from 6 (no exertion at all) to 20 (maximal exertion). Higher scores indicate greater perceived physical effort.

  6. Rating of Perceived Exertion Assessed by the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale (6-20)

    Time frame: Immediately after each exercise session

    Perceived exertion will be assessed using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Scale (6-20) during and immediately after each exercise session to evaluate subjective exercise intensity and effort. The scale ranges from 6 (no exertion at all) to 20 (maximal exertion). Higher scores indicate greater perceived physical effort.

  7. Mood and Alertness Assessed by Numeric Rating Scales (0-10)

    Time frame: Immediately before each exercise session

    Subjective mood and alertness will be assessed using separate 10-point Numeric Rating Scales (0-10) administered immediately before and immediately after each exercise session. For each scale, 0 represents the lowest level (very poor mood / extremely sleepy) and 10 represents the highest level (excellent mood / fully alert). Higher scores indicate better mood and greater alertness.

  8. Mood and Alertness Assessed by Numeric Rating Scales (0-10)

    Time frame: Immediately after each exercise session

    Subjective mood and alertness will be assessed using separate 10-point Numeric Rating Scales (0-10) administered immediately before and immediately after each exercise session. For each scale, 0 represents the lowest level (very poor mood / extremely sleepy) and 10 represents the highest level (excellent mood / fully alert). Higher scores indicate better mood and greater alertness.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Qassim University

Other

Collaborators

  • Cairo University

Registry information

Official study title

Acute Effects of Moderate-Intensity Continuous Exercise Versus High-Intensity Interval Training on Cognitive Performance and Psychophysiological Responses in Physically Active Adults: A Randomized Crossover Study

Acronym: EXCOG

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Feb 10, 2026
Registry last updated
Feb 10, 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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