Acute Effects of Active Breaks and Physically Active Learning in University Students (PAL UNI)

This is a multicenter, randomized, counterbalanced crossover study conducted in university students from eight Spanish universities.

Participants will first complete a familiarization session in which study procedures, cognitive assessments, and the participant identification system will be explained and practiced.

Each participant will subsequently complete four experimental sessions, separated by at least one week whenever feasible. Each experimental session will include:

1. A 10-minute PRE assessment including Stroop and N-Back tests.
2. Approximately 45 minutes of regular academic instruction.
3. A 15-minute experimental classroom break.
4. Up to 10 additional minutes of regular instruction.
5. An immediate POST assessment including Stroop, N-Back, a 10-item academic performance test, perceived exertion, and interest-enjoyment.

The four experimental conditions will be:

A. Sedentary free break without academic content. B. Sedentary academic review using true/false questions. C. Active break without academic content. D. Physically active learning combining the same physical activities used in Condition C with academic true/false questions.

The order of the four conditions will be randomized and counterbalanced across participating groups. Participants will therefore act as their own controls.

A subsample of participants may wear accelerometers to objectively characterize physical activity and sedentary behavior during the experimental sessions.