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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06703424

Effects of Light Intensity Physical Activities on Pre-frontal Cortical Activation, Cognitive Function, Sleepiness and Back Pain

The objective of this randomised controlled trial is to examine the acute effects of two novel light intensity exercise (sit-cycling and stand-twisting) on prefrontal cortical blood oxygenation, executive functioning, sleepiness and back pain among inactive university students.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

* What are the changes in oxygenated haemoglobin (O2Hb) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (HHb) levels in the prefrontal cortex from baseline to immediately after and 20 minutes after a 5-min bout of S-C and S-T compared to sitting for the same duration? * What are the changes in executive functioning, specifically, n-back test and Word Colour Stroop test performance from baseline to immediately after and 20 minutes after a bout of S-C and S-T compared to sitting for the same duration? * How does participants' self-rated daytime sleepiness and back pain after a bout of S-C and S-T compare to sitting for the same duration?

Participants will:

* Perform sit-cycling or stand-twisting for 5 mins (experimental condition) and sit for 5 mins (control condition) * Wear the functional near-infrared spectroscopy cap on their head throughout the measurements * Complete 1-back, 2-back test and Word Colour Stroop before, immediately after and 20 minutes after experimental/ control condition * Have their blood pressure, heart rate taken by a smartwatch * Complete a daytime sleepiness questionnaire and a back pain questionnaire

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Key information

Conditions

Pre-frontal Cortical Oxygenated and Deoxygenated Hemoglobin Levels Behavior Sedentary Behavior

Age range

21 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Block 5 Physical Education and Sport Science

Singapore

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • NTU-NIE university student, between 21 and 30 years old, do not meet physical activity guidelines (150 mins of weekly MVPA)

Exclusion criteria

  • taking blood-pressure lowering medication
  • physically active (150 mins or more of weekly MVPA)
  • deemed not physically fit to participate in physical activity based on responses to Get Active Questionnaire

Treatment and study plan

Sit-cycling

Other

Sit-cycling for 5 mins

Stand-twisting

Other

Stand-twisting for 5 mins

Primary outcomes

  1. 1-back test accuracy (%)

    Time frame: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)

    Number of correct trials (correct recall)

  2. 1-back test reaction time (ms)

    Time frame: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)

    Average reaction time across trials

  3. 2-back test accuracy (%)

    Time frame: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)

    Number of correct trials (correct recall)

  4. 2-back test reaction time (ms)

    Time frame: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)

    Average reaction time across trials

  5. Colour Word Stroop test accuracy (congruent) (%)

    Time frame: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)

    Number of correct trials recall

  6. Colour Word Stroop test accuracy (incongruent) (%)

    Time frame: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)

    Number of correct trials recall

  7. Colour Word Stroop test reaction time (congruent) (ms)

    Time frame: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)

    Average reaction time across trials

  8. Colour Word Stroop test reaction time (incongruent) (ms)

    Time frame: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)

    Average reaction time across trials

  9. pre-frontal cortical oxygenated hemoglobin levels (micrometre)

    Time frame: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)

    measured by functional near infrared spectroscopy

  10. pre-frontal cortical deoxygenated hemoglobin levels (micrometre)

    Time frame: Pretest, post-test 1 (immediately after experimental condition) and post-test 2 (after post-test 1)

    measured by functional near infrared spectroscopy

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Chia Yong Hwa Michael

Other

Collaborators

  • Sendai University

Registry information

Official study title

Investigating the Acute Effects of Light Intensity Physical Activities on Pre-frontal Cortical Activation, Cognitive Function, Sleepiness and Back Pain Among Physically Inactive University Students

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Nov 25, 2024
Registry last updated
Apr 16, 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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