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

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: Recruiting
• Conditions: Fatigue; Cognitive Load
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Mild-intensity physical fatigue; Other: Moderate-intensity physical fatigue; Other: High-intensity physical fatigue

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: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 90
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: imran amjad; Phone Number: 03324390125; Email: imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk

Study Locations

• Pakistan
  • Islamabad, Pakistan, 44000
    • Recruiting
    • Riphah International University
    • Contact: imran amjad; Phone Number: 03324390125; Email: imran.amjad@riphah.edu.pk

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• 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

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
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

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Heart rate variability	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)	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)	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)	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)	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)	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	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)	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)	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)	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)	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)	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	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)	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	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)	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)	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)	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)	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)	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

• Sponsor: Riphah International University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Imran Amjad, Phd, Riphah International University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 23, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 30, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 30, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 7, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 22, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): April 24, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 25, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 24, 2025
• Last Verified: April 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Dual-Task Performance
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Fatigue
• Other Study ID 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