Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT07099807

Carbohydrate Mouth Rinsing and Cognitive Response During Exercise

This study investigates whether rinsing the mouth with a carbohydrate solution can improve brain oxygenation and cognitive function during high-intensity exercise. Eleven trained cyclists participated in multiple exercise sessions under different mouth rinse conditions. Brain oxygenation, perceived exertion, and cognitive performance were measured. The goal is to understand if this simple technique can support both physical and mental performance during demanding exercise.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Exercise Performance of Fit Athletes

Age range

20 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

CHA University, Human Performance Lab

Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13488, South Korea

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged between 20 and 30 years
  • Engaged in regular cycling training (≥5 sessions per week, ~4 hours per day)
  • No known cardiovascular, neurological, or metabolic diseases
  • Provided written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

  • Current use of medication affecting cardiovascular or cognitive function
  • Recent musculoskeletal injuries that affect cycling ability
  • Smoking or excessive alcohol consumption
  • Refusal or inability to comply with study procedures

Treatment and study plan

Carbohydrate Mouth Rinse

Behavioral

A 6.4% maltodextrin solution (64 g/L) was prepared using Nutricost Maltodextrin Powder. Participants performed five mouth rinses per trial, each using 25 mL of the solution for 10 seconds before expectorating. Each rinse was followed by a 30-second rest. Participants were instructed not to swallow the solution. Rinsing procedure was standardized across all sessions.

Placebo Mouth Rinse

Behavioral

A placebo solution containing 0.05 g/L of non-caloric sucralose in distilled water was used to match sweetness and viscosity of the CHO-MR. Participants performed five rinses of 25 mL for 10 seconds each, spitting out the solution after each rinse. 30-second rest intervals followed each rinse. Swallowing was not allowed. Rinse frequency, volume, and duration were standardized.

Music listening

Behavioral

Participants listened to high-tempo music (120 bpm) for 15 minutes before exercise using standardized earbuds. Music was selected from a public YouTube playlist titled "120 BPM Best Dance Music for Running and Working Out." Volume was calibrated at 65 dB (50% of max device volume). Auditory conditions were standardized across all participants.

Primary outcomes

  1. Changes in prefrontal cortex oxygenation (ΔO2Hb)

    Time frame: Immediately post-intervention and post-time trial (within same day)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

CHA University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Carbohydrate Mouth Rinsing Enhances Prefrontal Cortex Oxygenation and Cognitive Performance, Reducing Perceived Exertion During High-Intensity Exercise

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Aug 1, 2025
Registry last updated
Aug 1, 2025

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.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.