Effects of Short Physical Activity Breaks on Thinking Skills After University Lectures in Undergraduate Students
Acute Cognitive Effects of Brief Physical Activity Breaks After Lecture-Based Academic Activity in Undergraduate University Students: A Randomized Crossover Study
The goal of this randomized crossover study is to evaluate whether brief Physical Activity Breaks (PABs), implemented immediately after lecture-based academic activity, can improve attentional processing and executive functioning in undergraduate university students. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Do OPAB or PABEx improve attentional and executive performance compared to a no-break control condition (NPAB)? Does PABEx provide superior cognitive benefits compared to OPAB?
Researchers will compare:
OPAB (a standardized 10-minute outdoor walking protocol) PABEx (a 10-minute exergame-based break using Fruit Ninja Kinect)
to see if these interventions improve cognitive performance compared to NPAB (supervised passive seated rest), and whether significant differences in cognitive outcomes emerge between OPAB and PABEx.
Participants will:
Complete cognitive assessments (Trail Making Test A-B and Stroop Color-Word Test) immediately after each condition.
Be randomly assigned, in counterbalanced order, to all three conditions across three consecutive weeks separated by a 7-day washout interval.
Engage in a 10-minute structured break (OPAB or PABEx) or passive rest (NPAB) following two consecutive hours of seated university lectures, including:
Warm-up (2 minutes): low-intensity dynamic movements. Main session (6 minutes): light-to-moderate outdoor walking (OPAB) or Fruit Ninja Kinect exergaming (PABEx).
Cool-down (2 minutes): relaxation and gentle stretching exercises.
This study will provide insights into the efficacy of brief active breaks as a pragmatic strategy to enhance cognitive efficiency in university students during academically demanding periods.
Descripción general del estudio
Estado
Condiciones
Intervención / Tratamiento
Tipo de estudio
Inscripción (Actual)
Fase
- No aplica
Contactos y Ubicaciones
Ubicaciones de estudio
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Bari
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Bari, Bari, Italia, 70123
- Università degli studi di Bari "Aldo Moro"
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Criterios de participación
Criterio de elegibilidad
Edades elegibles para estudiar
- Adulto
Acepta Voluntarios Saludables
Descripción
Inclusion Criteria:
- enrolled full-time
- 18-35 years old at the time of data collection
- physically able to stand and perform brief bouts of physical activity safely
Exclusion Criteria:
- musculoskeletal disorders
- current or recent lower-limb injuries
- acute or chronic medical conditions that could limit safe participation in light-to-moderate physical activity
- unable to comply with the study protocol
Plan de estudios
¿Cómo está diseñado el estudio?
Detalles de diseño
- Propósito principal: Tratamiento
- Asignación: Aleatorizado
- Modelo Intervencionista: Asignación cruzada
- Enmascaramiento: Triple
Armas e Intervenciones
Grupo de participantes/brazo |
Intervención / Tratamiento |
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Experimental: Exergame-based Physical Activity Break (PABEx)
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The PABEx condition consisted of a 10-minute non-immersive exergaming session structured into three phases: (i) Warm-up (2 min): the same dynamic warm-up used in OPAB.
(ii) Exergame phase (6 min): participants played Fruit Ninja Kinect, standing at approximately 1.5-2.0
m from a television screen and using a Kinect motion-sensing controller to perform rapid upper-limb movements to slice virtual fruit, combining physical engagement with visuomotor coordination and sustained attentional demands.
(iii) Cool-down (2 min): the same relaxation and stretching exercises used in OPAB.
Although duration, game, setting, and instructions were standardized, physiological intensity was not objectively monitored and may have varied across individuals.
Session duration, sequencing, supervision, and timing of cognitive testing were kept constant across all conditions.
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Experimental: Outdoor Physical Activity Break (OPAB),
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The OPAB condition consisted of a standardized 10-minute outdoor protocol structured into three phases: (i) Warm-up (2 min): low-intensity dynamic movements targeting major joints (ankles, knees, hips, and shoulders) combined with light marching in place.
(ii) Walking phase (6 min): participants walked along a predefined outdoor route at approximately 4.5 km·h-¹, providing a light-to-moderate aerobic stimulus; exercise intensity was not objectively monitored.
(iii) Cool-down (2 min): relaxation and gentle stretching exercises targeting lower-limb muscle groups and breathing regulation.
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Sin intervención: No Physical Activity Break (NPAB)
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¿Qué mide el estudio?
Medidas de resultado primarias
Medida de resultado |
Medida Descripción |
Periodo de tiempo |
|---|---|---|
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Trail Making Test A (TMT-A): Completion time
Periodo de tiempo: 3-weeks
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Trail Making Test A (TMT-A) assesses visual attention and processing speed. The outcome is the time required to complete the task, measured in seconds. Lower completion times indicate better cognitive performance. Possible scores range from 0 seconds to no predefined maximum value. Unit of Measure Seconds |
3-weeks
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The Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT): Completion Time
Periodo de tiempo: 3-weeks
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The Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT) assesses selective attention, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control. Participants are required to name the color of visual stimuli and to identify the ink color of color words printed in incongruent colors. The outcome measure is the time required to complete the test, expressed in seconds. Scores range from 0 seconds to no predefined maximum value. Lower scores indicate better cognitive performance. Unit of Measure Seconds |
3-weeks
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Trail Making Test B (TMT-B): Completion Time
Periodo de tiempo: 3-weeks
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Trail Making Test B (TMT-B) assesses executive function, cognitive flexibility, and set-shifting ability. The outcome is the time required to complete the task, measured in seconds. Lower completion times indicate better cognitive performance. Possible scores range from 0 seconds to no predefined maximum value. Unit of Measure Seconds |
3-weeks
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The Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT): Errors
Periodo de tiempo: 3-weeks
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The Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT) assesses selective attention, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control. The outcome measure is the number of errors committed during test performance. Scores range from 0 errors to no predefined maximum value. Lower scores indicate better cognitive performance. Unit of Measure Errors |
3-weeks
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Trail Making Test A (TMT-A): Errors
Periodo de tiempo: 3-weeks
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The Trail Making Test A (TMT-A) assesses visual attention, visual scanning, and processing speed. The outcome measure is the number of errors committed while completing the task. Scores range from 0 errors to no predefined maximum value. Lower scores indicate better cognitive performance. Unit of Measure Errors |
3-weeks
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Trail Making Test B (TMT-B): Errors
Periodo de tiempo: 3-weeks
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The Trail Making Test B (TMT-B) assesses executive function, cognitive flexibility, and set-shifting ability. The outcome measure is the number of errors committed during task performance. Scores range from 0 errors to no predefined maximum value. Lower scores indicate better cognitive performance. Unit of Measure Errors |
3-weeks
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Colaboradores e Investigadores
Patrocinador
Investigadores
- Investigador principal: Luca Poli, P.hd., University of Bari Aldo Moro
Fechas de registro del estudio
Fechas importantes del estudio
Inicio del estudio (Actual)
Finalización primaria (Actual)
Finalización del estudio (Actual)
Fechas de registro del estudio
Enviado por primera vez
Primero enviado que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad
Publicado por primera vez (Actual)
Actualizaciones de registros de estudio
Última actualización publicada (Actual)
Última actualización enviada que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad
Última verificación
Más información
Términos relacionados con este estudio
Otros números de identificación del estudio
- 116866
Plan de datos de participantes individuales (IPD)
¿Planea compartir datos de participantes individuales (IPD)?
Información sobre medicamentos y dispositivos, documentos del estudio
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