Brain-Physical Optimization Conditioning

Neurocognitive Optimization and Enhancement for Brain Health and Performance

Brain-Physical Optimization Conditioning (B-POC) aims to enhance physical performance by expanding the traditional focus of endurance training from purely physical training to the domain of cognitive endurance (Staiano et al., 2015; Dallaway et al., 2017). The current study seeks to isolate neurocognitive mechanisms of performance, particularly under high stress (e.g., physical or cognitive load) conditions, and to develop corresponding cognitive optimization tools.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Physical Performance
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: B-POC high load intervention; Behavioral: B-POC low load intervention

Detailed Description

Brain-Physical Optimization Conditioning (B-POC) aims to enhance physical performance by expanding the traditional focus of endurance training from purely physical training to the domain of cognitive endurance (Staiano et al., 2015; Dallaway et al., 2017). B-POC uses an acute mentally fatiguing task during routine exercise with the aim of optimizing the effects of physical endurance (e.g., aerobic exercise). B-POC differs from other types of cognitive training by increasing the cognitive demands of a specific concurrent task rather than teaching a cognitive strategy and relying on task transfer effects. Similar to strengthening a muscle, cognitive trainings may be one means of increasing Soldier's cognitive capacity and improving performance (Walton et al., 2018).

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 66
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Brad Fawver, PhD; Phone Number: 253-968-4878; Email: bradley.j.fawver.civ@mail.mil

Study Locations

• United States
  • Washington
    • Tacoma, Washington, United States, 98433
      • Recruiting
      • Medical Research Directorate - West
      • Contact: Michael M Dretsch; Email: michael.n.dretsch.mil@mail.mil

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 40 years (ADULT)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy active duty Soldiers
• 18-40 years old
• Available for study duration

Exclusion Criteria:

• Failure of an Army Physical Fitness/Combat Test (APFT/ACFT) test
• On a physical profile that prevents them from 1) engaging in intense aerobic exercise, 2) running on a treadmill, 3) riding the stationary bike, and 4) performing a cognitive task on a computer screen.
• Medically non-deployable
• Impaired cognitive function due to medication, injury or illness,
• Have been advised by a medical professional not to engage in aerobic exercise
• Are a pregnant female

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: BASIC_SCIENCE
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Interventional Model: SINGLE_GROUP
• Masking: SINGLE

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
EXPERIMENTAL: B-POC high load Intervention; aerobic exercise [heartrate range (HRR) 70-75% of max HR, on treadmill] and a computerized high-load task for 45 minutes, 3 times per week, for 6 weeks	Behavioral: B-POC high load intervention; aerobic exercise [heartrate range (HRR) 70-75% of max HR, on treadmill] and a computerized high-load task for 45 minutes, 3 times per week, for 6 weeks
SHAM_COMPARATOR: B-POC low load intervention; aerobic exercise [heartrate range (HRR) 70-75% of max HR, on treadmill] and a computerized low-load task for 45 minutes, 3 times per week, for 6 weeks	Behavioral: B-POC low load intervention; aerobic exercise [heartrate range (HRR) 70-75% of max HR, on treadmill] and a computerized low-load task for 45 minutes, 3 times per week, for 6 weeks

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Time to Failure Test	The Time to Failure Test (TFT) requires participants to run on a treadmill with increases in either grade (0.5% increase) and speed (~0.3-0.5 mph) every two minutes in an alternating format for the first 16 minutes, after which settings remain constant until self termination of the exercise. The TFT settings (work rate) are calculated from an individual's last 2 mile run time. Physiological load (heart rate, oxygen consumption) and perceived exertion (RPE) are measured throughout the TFT. The primary outcome is change in time to failure (minutes, seconds) on the endurance test from baseline to post0test (~7 weeks).	7 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Dynamic Marksmanship	The Dynamic Marksmanship Test requires participants to complete four increasingly difficult phases of target identification (friend vs. foe) and elimination using a rifle marksmanship simulator (EST). The test is completed both before and after a 3-mile ruck march, which is completed with +30% bodyweight. Physiological output (HR), and subjective ratings of workload (NASA-TLX) are assessed throughout each marksmanship test. The primary outcome is change in accuracy (%) from pre-ruck performance to post-ruck performance.	Pre-to-post ruck time (~30-90 minutes)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR)

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (ACTUAL): October 20, 2020
• Primary Completion (ANTICIPATED): October 20, 2023
• Study Completion (ANTICIPATED): October 20, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 12, 2020
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 27, 2021
• First Posted (ACTUAL): April 28, 2021

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (ACTUAL): March 31, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 25, 2022
• Last Verified: March 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: effort; perceived exertion; cognitive fatigue; demand; endurance performance
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2751

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