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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07379879

Acute Neurochemical and Cognitive Changes After HIIT vs MICT/LICT

This study examines whether the intensity of a single running session changes a blood marker related to brain health (brain-derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF), blood lactate, and performance on a short thinking task that measures attention and self-control (the Stroop test) in healthy young adult men.

Twelve healthy males (18-25 years) will complete four separate sessions in a randomized, counterbalanced order, with at least 7 days between sessions. Each session includes an 8-minute warm-up followed by 24 minutes of one of the following conditions: low-intensity continuous running, moderate-intensity continuous running, high-intensity interval running (repeated 15-second fast runs with 15-second passive rest, organized into sets), or a seated rest control session. Running pace will be individualized based on a prior fitness test.

A small venous blood sample (about 8 mL) will be collected immediately before and within 1 minute after each session. After each session, participants will complete the Stroop test. The main outcomes are the before-to-after changes in serum BDNF, blood lactate, and Stroop test performance across the four conditions.

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Key information

Conditions

BDNF Cognitive Performance Exercise Intensity Lactate

Age range

18 year–25 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Aksaray University

Aksaray, Center, 68000, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged between 18 and 25 years
  • No known medical condition that prevents participation in exercise
  • Not currently using any pharmacological agents

Exclusion criteria

  • Experiencing any discomfort before, during, or after exercise
  • Current or past diagnosis of pharmacological or doping substance use
  • Engaging in regular exercise (more than 3 times per week) within the last 2 weeks
  • History of alcohol or substance addiction
  • Any other condition or factor that may prevent full participation in the study protocol

Treatment and study plan

Low Intensity Exercise

Behavioral

Participants ran continuously for 24 minutes at 50-60% of their MAS without rest

Moderate-Intensity Continuous Exercise

Behavioral

Participants completed a continuous 24-min running bout at 70-80% of their MAS. The exercise was performed at a steady, uninterrupted pace throughout the session, with no planned rest periods. Participants were instructed to maintain the prescribed pace for the entire duration

High-intensity interval training

Behavioral

Participants performed 15-s running bouts at 110-120% of MAS, with the target distance for each bout pre-calculated from individual MAS (speed × time). Running was conducted shuttle-style between two cones. At the whistle, participants ran from one cone to the other for 15 s and then remained standing still for a 15-s passive rest at that cone. At the next whistle, they ran back in the opposite direction, followed by another 15-s stationary recovery. This 15-s run/15-s recovery cycle continued for 3 min, constituting one set (6 runs and 6 recovery intervals per set). Four sets were completed, separated by 3-min passive inter-set rest, resulting in a total session duration of 24 min

Primary outcomes

  1. Lactate

    Time frame: Baseline, Immediately After Exercise (Day 1)

    Lactate levels were measured in millimoles per liter (mmol/L) from capillary/venous blood samples taken before and after exercise using a lactate analyzer.

  2. BDNF

    Time frame: Baseline, Immediately After Exercise (Day 1)

    BDNF levels were measured using a Sunred brand ELISA kit from blood samples taken baseline and after exercise, and the results were reported in ng/mL units.

  3. Stroop Test

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately after exercise (Day 1)

    Stroop test performance will be assessed as an indicator of executive function, primarily selective attention and inhibitory control. In this task, participants are required to identify the ink color of presented stimuli while suppressing the automatic tendency to read the written word, particularly during incongruent trials (e.g., the word "red" printed in blue ink). The test will be administered immediately after each session. Outcomes will include reaction time and accuracy (and/or an interference score derived from incongruent vs. congruent conditions). Reaction time will be recorded in seconds (s), with poorer performance reflected by slower responses and/or more errors.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Aksaray University Training and Research Hospital

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Acute Neurochemical and Cognitive Responses to High Intensity Interval Training vs. Moderate- and Low-Intensity Continuous Training in Young Adult Males

Acronym: ANCCR

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Feb 2, 2026
Registry last updated
Feb 2, 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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