Acute Responses to Walking, Stair Climbing, and Functional Circuit Exercise

September 4, 2026 updated by: Ramazan Bayer, Malatya Turgut Ozal University

Acute Metabolic, Respiratory, and Neuromotor Responses to Walking, Stair Climbing, and Functional Circuit Exercise in Sedentary Individuals: A Heart Rate-Controlled Randomized Crossover Study

This study evaluated the acute physiological responses to three different exercise modalities in sedentary young men. Participants completed walking, stair climbing, and functional circuit exercise sessions in a randomized crossover design. Each exercise session lasted 20 minutes and was performed at a target intensity of 50% heart rate reserve (±5 beats/min), with at least 72 hours between sessions.

The study compared acute respiratory, metabolic, and neuromotor responses to the three exercise modalities. Pulmonary function was assessed using spirometry, blood lactate concentration was measured using capillary blood samples, and countermovement jump performance was assessed as an indicator of neuromuscular performance. Heart rate was continuously monitored during each exercise session.

Study Overview

Status

Status

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

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.

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 (Actual)

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.
30

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 Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Malatya
      • Malatya, Malatya, Turkey (Türkiye), 44100
        • Malatya Turgut Ozal University

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:

  • Male sex.
  • Aged 18-30 years.
  • Classified as sedentary/insufficiently active according to the study eligibility criteria.
  • Able to safely complete the exercise protocols and study assessments.
  • Provided voluntary informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Current cigarette or electronic cigarette use.
  • Known cardiovascular, respiratory, or metabolic disease.
  • Regular medication use that could affect physiological responses to exercise.
  • Acute infection within the previous 2 weeks.
  • Musculoskeletal conditions that could interfere with safe participation in the exercise protocols.
  • Any condition requiring medical evaluation before exercise participation.
  • Inability to obtain acceptable baseline spirometry measurements according to the study procedures.

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: Basic Science
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

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: WP-SP-FCP Sequence
Participants completed the Walking Protocol first, followed by the Stair Climbing Protocol and then the Functional Circuit Protocol, with at least 72 hours between sessions.
Behavioral: Walking Protocol
Participants performed a 20-minute walking exercise session at a target intensity of 50% heart rate reserve (HRR), maintained within ±5 beats/min of the individual target heart rate. Heart rate was continuously monitored throughout the exercise session.
Other Names:
  • WP
Behavioral: Stair Climbing Protocol
Participants performed a 20-minute stair climbing exercise session at a target intensity of 50% heart rate reserve (HRR), maintained within ±5 beats/min of the individual target heart rate. Heart rate was continuously monitored throughout the exercise session.
Other Names:
  • SP
Behavioral: Functional Circuit Protocol
Participants performed a 20-minute functional circuit exercise session at a target intensity of 50% heart rate reserve (HRR), maintained within ±5 beats/min of the individual target heart rate. The circuit consisted of chair sit-to-stand, reverse lunges, wall push-ups, high-knee marching, and low-impact mountain climbers performed on an elevated surface. Heart rate was continuously monitored throughout the exercise session.
Other Names:
  • FCP
Experimental: WP-FCP-SP Sequence
Participants completed the Walking Protocol first, followed by the Functional Circuit Protocol and then the Stair Climbing Protocol, with at least 72 hours between sessions.
Behavioral: Walking Protocol
Participants performed a 20-minute walking exercise session at a target intensity of 50% heart rate reserve (HRR), maintained within ±5 beats/min of the individual target heart rate. Heart rate was continuously monitored throughout the exercise session.
Other Names:
  • WP
Behavioral: Stair Climbing Protocol
Participants performed a 20-minute stair climbing exercise session at a target intensity of 50% heart rate reserve (HRR), maintained within ±5 beats/min of the individual target heart rate. Heart rate was continuously monitored throughout the exercise session.
Other Names:
  • SP
Behavioral: Functional Circuit Protocol
Participants performed a 20-minute functional circuit exercise session at a target intensity of 50% heart rate reserve (HRR), maintained within ±5 beats/min of the individual target heart rate. The circuit consisted of chair sit-to-stand, reverse lunges, wall push-ups, high-knee marching, and low-impact mountain climbers performed on an elevated surface. Heart rate was continuously monitored throughout the exercise session.
Other Names:
  • FCP
Experimental: SP-WP-FCP Sequence
Participants completed the Stair Climbing Protocol first, followed by the Walking Protocol and then the Functional Circuit Protocol, with at least 72 hours between sessions.
Behavioral: Walking Protocol
Participants performed a 20-minute walking exercise session at a target intensity of 50% heart rate reserve (HRR), maintained within ±5 beats/min of the individual target heart rate. Heart rate was continuously monitored throughout the exercise session.
Other Names:
  • WP
Behavioral: Stair Climbing Protocol
Participants performed a 20-minute stair climbing exercise session at a target intensity of 50% heart rate reserve (HRR), maintained within ±5 beats/min of the individual target heart rate. Heart rate was continuously monitored throughout the exercise session.
Other Names:
  • SP
Behavioral: Functional Circuit Protocol
Participants performed a 20-minute functional circuit exercise session at a target intensity of 50% heart rate reserve (HRR), maintained within ±5 beats/min of the individual target heart rate. The circuit consisted of chair sit-to-stand, reverse lunges, wall push-ups, high-knee marching, and low-impact mountain climbers performed on an elevated surface. Heart rate was continuously monitored throughout the exercise session.
Other Names:
  • FCP
Experimental: SP-FCP-WP Sequence
Participants completed the Stair Climbing Protocol first, followed by the Functional Circuit Protocol and then the Walking Protocol, with at least 72 hours between sessions.
Behavioral: Walking Protocol
Participants performed a 20-minute walking exercise session at a target intensity of 50% heart rate reserve (HRR), maintained within ±5 beats/min of the individual target heart rate. Heart rate was continuously monitored throughout the exercise session.
Other Names:
  • WP
Behavioral: Stair Climbing Protocol
Participants performed a 20-minute stair climbing exercise session at a target intensity of 50% heart rate reserve (HRR), maintained within ±5 beats/min of the individual target heart rate. Heart rate was continuously monitored throughout the exercise session.
Other Names:
  • SP
Behavioral: Functional Circuit Protocol
Participants performed a 20-minute functional circuit exercise session at a target intensity of 50% heart rate reserve (HRR), maintained within ±5 beats/min of the individual target heart rate. The circuit consisted of chair sit-to-stand, reverse lunges, wall push-ups, high-knee marching, and low-impact mountain climbers performed on an elevated surface. Heart rate was continuously monitored throughout the exercise session.
Other Names:
  • FCP
Experimental: FCP-WP-SP Sequence
Participants completed the Functional Circuit Protocol first, followed by the Walking Protocol and then the Stair Climbing Protocol, with at least 72 hours between sessions.
Behavioral: Walking Protocol
Participants performed a 20-minute walking exercise session at a target intensity of 50% heart rate reserve (HRR), maintained within ±5 beats/min of the individual target heart rate. Heart rate was continuously monitored throughout the exercise session.
Other Names:
  • WP
Behavioral: Stair Climbing Protocol
Participants performed a 20-minute stair climbing exercise session at a target intensity of 50% heart rate reserve (HRR), maintained within ±5 beats/min of the individual target heart rate. Heart rate was continuously monitored throughout the exercise session.
Other Names:
  • SP
Behavioral: Functional Circuit Protocol
Participants performed a 20-minute functional circuit exercise session at a target intensity of 50% heart rate reserve (HRR), maintained within ±5 beats/min of the individual target heart rate. The circuit consisted of chair sit-to-stand, reverse lunges, wall push-ups, high-knee marching, and low-impact mountain climbers performed on an elevated surface. Heart rate was continuously monitored throughout the exercise session.
Other Names:
  • FCP
Experimental: FCP-SP-WP Sequence
Participants completed the Functional Circuit Protocol first, followed by the Stair Climbing Protocol and then the Walking Protocol, with at least 72 hours between sessions.
Behavioral: Walking Protocol
Participants performed a 20-minute walking exercise session at a target intensity of 50% heart rate reserve (HRR), maintained within ±5 beats/min of the individual target heart rate. Heart rate was continuously monitored throughout the exercise session.
Other Names:
  • WP
Behavioral: Stair Climbing Protocol
Participants performed a 20-minute stair climbing exercise session at a target intensity of 50% heart rate reserve (HRR), maintained within ±5 beats/min of the individual target heart rate. Heart rate was continuously monitored throughout the exercise session.
Other Names:
  • SP
Behavioral: Functional Circuit Protocol
Participants performed a 20-minute functional circuit exercise session at a target intensity of 50% heart rate reserve (HRR), maintained within ±5 beats/min of the individual target heart rate. The circuit consisted of chair sit-to-stand, reverse lunges, wall push-ups, high-knee marching, and low-impact mountain climbers performed on an elevated surface. Heart rate was continuously monitored throughout the exercise session.
Other Names:
  • FCP

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
Change in Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second (FEV1)
Time Frame: Baseline and 5 minutes after each exercise session
Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was measured by spirometry before and 5 minutes after each exercise condition. The primary outcome was the change in FEV1 (ΔFEV1), calculated as post-exercise FEV1 minus pre-exercise FEV1 and expressed in liters (L). Measurements were obtained following standardized spirometry procedures.
Baseline and 5 minutes after each exercise session

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
Time Frame: Baseline and 5 minutes after each exercise session
Forced vital capacity (FVC) was measured by spirometry before and 5 minutes after each exercise condition. The outcome was the change in FVC (ΔFVC), calculated as post-exercise FVC minus pre-exercise FVC and expressed in liters (L).
Baseline and 5 minutes after each exercise session
Change in FEV1/FVC Ratio
Time Frame: Baseline and 5 minutes after each exercise session
The FEV1/FVC ratio was assessed by spirometry before and 5 minutes after each exercise condition. The outcome was the change in FEV1/FVC ratio (ΔFEV1/FVC), calculated as the post-exercise value minus the pre-exercise value.
Baseline and 5 minutes after each exercise session
Change in Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF)
Time Frame: Baseline and 5 minutes after each exercise session
Peak expiratory flow (PEF) was measured by spirometry before and 5 minutes after each exercise condition. The outcome was the change in PEF (ΔPEF), calculated as the post-exercise PEF minus the pre-exercise PEF and expressed in liters per second (L/s).
Baseline and 5 minutes after each exercise session
Change in Blood Lactate Concentration
Time Frame: Baseline and 3 minutes after each exercise session
Capillary blood lactate concentration was measured before exercise and 3 minutes after each exercise condition. The outcome was the change in blood lactate concentration (ΔLactate), calculated as the post-exercise value minus the pre-exercise value and expressed in millimoles per liter (mmol/L).
Baseline and 3 minutes after each exercise session
Change in Countermovement Jump Height (CMJ)
Time Frame: Baseline and immediately after post-exercise spirometry initiated at 5 minutes after each exercise session
Countermovement jump (CMJ) height was assessed before and after each exercise condition. The outcome was the change in CMJ height (ΔCMJ), calculated as the post-exercise value minus the pre-exercise value and expressed in centimeters (cm).
Baseline and immediately after post-exercise spirometry initiated at 5 minutes after each exercise session
Mean Heart Rate During Exercise
Time Frame: During each 20-minute exercise session
Heart rate was continuously monitored throughout each exercise condition. Mean heart rate was calculated across the exercise period and expressed in beats per minute (bpm).
During each 20-minute exercise session
Maximum Heart Rate During Exercise
Time Frame: During each 20-minute exercise session
Heart rate was continuously monitored throughout each exercise condition. Maximum heart rate was defined as the highest heart rate recorded during the exercise period and expressed in beats per minute (bpm).
During each 20-minute exercise session
Time Spent in the Target Heart Rate Range
Time Frame: During each 20-minute exercise session
Heart rate was continuously monitored throughout each exercise condition. The outcome was the percentage of exercise time during which heart rate remained within ±5 beats/min of the individualized target heart rate corresponding to 50% heart rate reserve (HRR)
During each 20-minute exercise session

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.
Malatya Turgut Ozal 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.
June 22, 2026

Primary Completion (Actual)

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.
August 5, 2026

Study Completion (Actual)

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.
August 5, 2026

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).
September 1, 2026

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.
September 4, 2026

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.
September 8, 2026

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.
September 8, 2026

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.
September 4, 2026

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.
September 1, 2026

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.
  • 2026/205

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

Individual participant data are not planned to be shared because no data-sharing plan was established as part of the original study protocol.

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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