Effect Of Resistance Training On Physical Fitness, Cognitive Ability, And Academic Performance In Young Adults

The goal of this study is to determine the effect of resistance training on physical fitness, cognitive ability, and academic performance in young adults. This would be a randomized controlled trail in which participants will be randomly allocated in to two groups. One group will perform resistance training and other group will perform balance and general body toning exercises.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Young Adults
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Resistance Training; Other: General Fitness and Toning

Detailed Description

In recent years, the relationship between physical fitness, cognitive ability, and academic performance has garnered significant attention in the fields of education, psychology, and sports science. Young adulthood represents a critical developmental period characterized by substantial physical, cognitive, and psychological changes. During this phase, individuals are often engaged in academic pursuits, which makes understanding the impact of various interventions on physical fitness, cognitive ability, and academic performance especially relevant.

While individual studies have explored the effects of resistance training on physical fitness, cognitive ability, and academic performance separately, there remains a gap in the literature concerning a comprehensive understanding of their interconnectedness in the context of young adults. This study aims to bridge this gap by investigating the potential causal relationship between resistance training and these multifaceted outcomes.

This randomized controlled trial will recruit participants from young population. Study participants will be randomized into two groups: Group-A and Group-B. Group-A participants would receive resistance training for 3 consecutive months, while Group-B participants would follow general fitness and body toning exercises. Physical fitness, cognitive ability and academic performance will be measured at the baseline and after the termination of intervention program.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 20
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Noman Sadiq, MS-SPT; Phone Number: +923145520548; Email: noman.sadiq@riphah.edu.pk
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Tahreem Nisar, MS-SPT*; Phone Number: +923365062152; Email: tahreemnisar83@gmail.com

Study Locations

• Pakistan
  • Islamabad Capital Territory
    • Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan, 44000
      • Recruiting
      • Riphah International University (RIU)
      • Contact: Noman Sadiq, MS-SPT; Phone Number: +923145520548; Email: noman.sadiq@riphah.edu.pk

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• School going children between the ages of 12 to 17 year

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants with any recent musculoskeletal injury that hasn't healed.
• Any deformity or disability that could affect the participant's ability to perform physical activity.
• Any systemic disease/disorder that could affect the physical and cognitive performance of the participants.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Group A; Resistance Training Group	Other: Resistance Training; A resistance training program will be used as a progressive, high-intensity protocol. The training stimulus will be provided using free weights. The exercises will consist of bench presses, biceps curls, triceps extensions, Latissimus Dorsi pull-down exercises, hamstring curls, and calf raises. The intensity of the training stimulus will be at a working range of 6 to 8 repetitions (2 sets). The training stimulus will subsequently be increased using the 7-RM (repetition maximum) method when 2 sets of 6 to 8 repetitions are completed with proper form and without discomfort. Other key strength exercises will include mini-squats, mini-lunges, and lunge walks. The number of sets completed and the load lifted for each exercise will be recorded for each participant in every class.
Active Comparator: Group B; General Fitness and Toning Group	Other: General Fitness and Toning; The general fitness and toning program will consist of stretching exercises, range-of-motion exercises, basic core-strengthening exercises, balance exercises, and relaxation techniques. Key balance exercises will include tandem stand, tandem walking, and single leg stance (eyes opened and closed). No additional loading (e.g., hand weights or resistance bands) will be applied to any of the exercises. This group will serve to control for confounding variables such as physical training received by traveling to the training centers, social interaction, and changes in life style secondary to study participation.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Isometric Strength (lbs)	Isometric Strength will be assessed using a Hand-held Dynamometer measuring isometric contraction force in pounds (lbs).	Baseline and after end of the intervention (3 months)
Endurance	Endurance will be assessed using the Yo Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1 Test ranging from speed level 5 (lightest) to speed level 23 (hardest).	Baseline and after end of the intervention (3 months)
Agility	Agility will be assessed using Illinois Agility Run Test (Time to complete it in seconds).	Baseline and after end of the intervention (3 months)
Balance	Balance will be assessed using Star Excursion Balance Test (distance in each direction).	Baseline and after end of the intervention (3 months)
Stroop Test	Stroop test will be used to assess cognitive function (number of items completed during each task).	Baseline and after end of the intervention (3 months)
Trail Making Test	Trail Making Test will be used to assess cognitive function (time spent to complete the task).	Baseline and after end of the intervention (3 months)
Verbal Digit Span Test	Verbal Digit Span Test will be used to assess cognitive function (number of digits recalled correctly).	Baseline and after end of the intervention (3 months)
Academic Performance	Academic performance will be assessed using previous and subsequent school grades of the participants.	Baseline and after end of the intervention (3 months)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Riphah International University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Noman Sadiq, MS-SPT, Riphah International University, Islamabad.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 15, 2023
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 30, 2023
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 31, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 4, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 11, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): October 17, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): October 17, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 11, 2023
• Last Verified: October 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Exercise Training; Resistance Training; Cognitive Function; Physical Fitness; Academic Performance
• Other Study ID Numbers: REC/01612 Tahreem Nisar

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