Effects of Physical Fatigue on Cognitive Load and Performance Under Dual-Task Environments.

April 24, 2025 updated by: Riphah International University

To Determine the Effects of Physical Fatigue on Cognitive Load and Performance Under Dual-Task Environments.

This study aims to determine how different levels of physical fatigue influence cognitive load and performance during dual-task activities.

  1. To assess the changes in cognitive task performance under varying levels of physical fatigue.
  2. There is an association between cognitive loading and physical fatigue.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Working efficiency in our daily routine is hindered by constant change, urgency, and the demands of sustained efforts, all of which contribute to health and safety problems, and are extremely imprudent of human resources in the workplace, due to which individuals would raise anxiety, causing more attention required for task completion and thereby increasing cognitive load. Cognitive loading refers to the mental effort needed to process information and perform tasks. Physical performance is not only related to physical factors, psychological factors also have the potential to determine physical performance. Mental workload is defined as the difference between the cognitive demand of a particular task and the operator's attention resources. When cognitive demands exceed available resources, mental fatigue can occur, often reflected in decreased motor function and impaired physical performance. Fatigue is recognized as a dimensional phenomenon encompassing cognitive and motor fatigue. It is debatable whether cognitive fatigue is a spontaneous phenomenon or provoked by exertion or whether cognitive fatigue is provoked by cognitive effort or also through physical exercise. Physical fatigue develops more quickly when the brain has to devote resources to highly cognitive tasks. Influence of cognitive load on the dynamics of neurophysiological adjustments during exercise which causes fatigue explained by the interaction of various psychological and neurophysiological factors including higher perceived exertion, greater perturbations of autonomic nervous system activity, and cerebral impairments leading to earlier onset of central fatigue. The brain is like other biological tissue tired out when overused. Since the impact of physical exercise on cognitive functioning is dependent on the characteristics of the physical exercise load. Previous research has demonstrated a small-to-medium negative effect of cognitive exertion on subsequent physical performance. Our study aims to explore the interplay between varying levels of physical fatigue and cognitive performance. Specifically, we will examine how different intensities of physical load affect mental load and associated physiological functions. By investigating these relationships, we seek to provide insights into optimizing performance in dual-task environments, ultimately contributing to better health and efficiency in the workplace.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
90

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Individuals aged 18 to 30 years.
  • Physically healthy individuals.
  • Willingness to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Cognitive Impairment.
  • Neurological injury.
  • Cardiac, pulmonary, or inflammatory diseases.
  • Mental health conditions include depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
  • Individuals unwilling to participate.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Health Services Research
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Triple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Group 1
Participants with a target Heart rate range of 50-60% of their maximum heart rate. All members of Group 1 who meet the eligibility criteria will perform a cognitive task before undergoing mild-intensity physical fatigue induced by treadmill training. After that participants will complete the cognitive task again. To eliminate bias, three different levels of physical exertion will be randomly assigned.
Other: Mild-intensity physical fatigue
Participants will undergo mild-intensity physical fatigue through a structured treadmill training protocol. The training will be conducted within a target heart rate range of 50-60% of their maximum heart rate (HRmax), ensuring controlled and consistent exercise intensity. This approach aims to induce mild physiological stress while maintaining safety and feasibility for all participants.
Experimental: Group 2
Participants with a target Heart rate range of 60-70% of their maximum heart rate. All members of group 2 who meet the eligibility criteria will perform a cognitive task before undergoing moderate-intensity physical fatigue induced by treadmill training. After that participants will complete the cognitive task again. To eliminate bias, three different levels of physical exertion will be randomly assigned.
Other: Moderate-intensity physical fatigue
Participants will undergo Moderate-intensity physical fatigue through a structured treadmill training protocol. The training will be conducted within a target heart rate range of 60-70% of their maximum heart rate (HRmax), ensuring controlled and consistent exercise intensity. This approach aims to induce mild physiological stress while maintaining safety and feasibility for all participants.
Experimental: Group 3
Participants with a target Heart rate range of 70-80% of their maximum heart rate. All members of group 3 who meet the eligibility criteria will perform a cognitive task before undergoing high-intensity physical fatigue induced by treadmill training. After that participants will complete the cognitive task again. To eliminate bias, three different levels of physical exertion will be randomly assigned.
Other: High-intensity physical fatigue
Participants will undergo High-intensity physical fatigue through a structured treadmill training protocol. The training will be conducted within a target heart rate range of 70-80% of their maximum heart rate (HRmax), ensuring controlled and consistent exercise intensity. This approach aims to induce sufficient physiological stress while maintaining safety and feasibility for all participants.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Heart rate variability
Time Frame: Baseline
An electrocardiogram (ECG) will be utilized to assess heart rate variability, which will measure the fluctuations in time between heartbeats. Low heart rate variability will indicate increased cognitive load.
Baseline
Heart rate variability (2nd reading)
Time Frame: Periprocedural
An electrocardiogram (ECG) will be utilized to assess heart rate variability, which will measure the fluctuations in time between heartbeats. Low heart rate variability will indicate increased cognitive load. 2nd reading will be measured during the cognitive task (without physical fatigue).
Periprocedural
Heart rate variability (3rd reading)
Time Frame: Periprocedural
An electrocardiogram (ECG) will be utilized to assess heart rate variability, which will measure the fluctuations in time between heartbeats. Low heart rate variability will indicate increased cognitive load. 3rd reading will be measured after the cognitive task (without physical fatigue).
Periprocedural
Heart rate variability (4rth reading)
Time Frame: Periprocedural
An electrocardiogram (ECG) will be utilized to assess heart rate variability, which will measure the fluctuations in time between heartbeats. Low heart rate variability will indicate increased cognitive load. 4rth reading will be measured after physical fatigue.
Periprocedural
Heart rate variability (5th reading)
Time Frame: Periprocedural
An electrocardiogram (ECG) will be utilized to assess heart rate variability, which will measure the fluctuations in time between heartbeats. Low heart rate variability will indicate increased cognitive load. The 5th reading will be measured during the cognitive task after physical fatigue.
Periprocedural
Heart rate variability (6th reading)
Time Frame: Periprocedural
An electrocardiogram (ECG) will be utilized to assess heart rate variability, which will measure the fluctuations in time between heartbeats. Low heart rate variability will indicate increased cognitive load. The 6th reading will be measured after the cognitive task, after physical fatigue.
Periprocedural
Galvanic skin response
Time Frame: Baseline
The electrical conductance of the skin, measured by Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), will be influenced by moisture levels resulting from sweat gland activity. A high GSR will typically indicate an increased cognitive load.
Baseline
Galvanic skin response (2nd reading)
Time Frame: Periprocedural
The electrical conductance of the skin, measured by Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), will be influenced by moisture levels resulting from sweat gland activity. A high GSR will typically indicate an increased cognitive load. 2nd reading will be measured during the cognitive task (without physical fatigue).
Periprocedural
Galvanic skin response (3rd reading)
Time Frame: Periprocedural
The electrical conductance of the skin, measured by Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), will be influenced by moisture levels resulting from sweat gland activity. A high GSR will typically indicate an increased cognitive load. 3rd reading will be measured after the cognitive task (without physical fatigue).
Periprocedural
Galvanic skin response (4rth reading)
Time Frame: Periprocedural
The electrical conductance of the skin, measured by Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), will be influenced by moisture levels resulting from sweat gland activity. A high GSR will typically indicate an increased cognitive load.4rth reading will be measured after physical fatigue.
Periprocedural
Galvanic skin response (5th reading)
Time Frame: Periprocedural
The electrical conductance of the skin, measured by Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), will be influenced by moisture levels resulting from sweat gland activity. A high GSR will typically indicate an increased cognitive load. The 5th reading will be measured during the cognitive task after physical fatigue.
Periprocedural
Galvanic skin response (6th reading)
Time Frame: Periprocedural
The electrical conductance of the skin, measured by Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), will be influenced by moisture levels resulting from sweat gland activity. A high GSR will typically indicate an increased cognitive load. The 6th reading will be measured after the cognitive task, after physical fatigue.
Periprocedural
Nasa task load index
Time Frame: Periprocedural
The different dimensions of task load, including mental demand, physical demand, temporal demand, performance, effort, and frustration, will be measured subjectively using the NASA Task Load Index (TLX). Low ratings will typically indicate an increased cognitive load. 1st reading will be taken after the cognitive task, before inducing physical fatigue.
Periprocedural
Nasa task load index (2nd reading)
Time Frame: Periprocedural
The different dimensions of task load, including mental demand, physical demand, temporal demand, performance, effort, and frustration, will be measured subjectively using the NASA Task Load Index (TLX). Low ratings will typically indicate an increased cognitive load. 2nd reading will be taken after the cognitive task, post physical fatigue induction.
Periprocedural
Borg scale of perceived exertion
Time Frame: Periprocedural
After achieving the mild intensity target heart rate range of 50-60% through treadmill training, the Borg Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) category scale (6-20) will be utilized to assess exertion levels. A higher score on this scale will indicate greater physical exertion.
Periprocedural
Borg scale of perceived exertion (Ist reading)
Time Frame: Periprocedural
Following the induction of physical fatigue, the Borg Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) category scale (6-20) will be used to evaluate exertion levels achieved during the treadmill training at the mild intensity target heart rate range of 50-60%. A higher score will reflect increased physical exertion. Ist reading will be taken after inducing physical fatigue.
Periprocedural
Borg scale of perceived exertion (2nd reading)
Time Frame: Periprocedural
After achieving the moderate intensity target heart rate range of 60-70% through treadmill training, the Borg Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) category scale (6-20) will be utilized to assess exertion levels. A higher score on this scale will indicate greater physical exertion. 2nd reading will be taken after the cognitive task prior to inducing physical fatigue.
Periprocedural
Borg scale of perceived exertion (3rd reading)
Time Frame: Periprocedural
Following the induction of physical fatigue, the Borg Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) category scale (6-20) will be used to evaluate exertion levels achieved during the treadmill training at the moderate intensity target heart rate range of 60-70%. A higher score will reflect increased physical exertion. 3rd reading will be taken after inducing physical fatigue.
Periprocedural
Borg scale of perceived exertion (4rth reading)
Time Frame: Periprocedural
After achieving the High-intensity target heart rate range of 70-80% through treadmill training, the Borg Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) category scale (6-20) will be utilized to assess exertion levels. A higher score on this scale will indicate greater physical exertion. 4rth reading will be taken after the cognitive task, before inducing physical fatigue.
Periprocedural
Borg scale of perceived exertion (5th reading)
Time Frame: Periprocedural
Following the induction of physical fatigue, the Borg Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) category scale (6-20) will be used to evaluate exertion levels achieved during the treadmill training at the High-intensity target heart rate range of 70-80%. A higher score will reflect increased physical exertion. 5th reading will be taken after inducing physical fatigue.
Periprocedural

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Riphah International University

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Imran Amjad, Phd, Riphah International University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
April 23, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
July 30, 2025

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
July 30, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
April 7, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
April 22, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
April 24, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
April 25, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
April 24, 2025

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
April 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • REC/02028 Imran Amjad

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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