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

Official title

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

Overview

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.

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.

Interventions

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Primary outcome measures

• Heart rate variability [Time frame: Baseline]
• Heart rate variability (2nd reading) [Time frame: Periprocedural]
• Heart rate variability (3rd reading) [Time frame: Periprocedural]
• Heart rate variability (4rth reading) [Time frame: Periprocedural]
• Heart rate variability (5th reading) [Time frame: Periprocedural]
• Heart rate variability (6th reading) [Time frame: Periprocedural]
• Galvanic skin response [Time frame: Baseline]
• Galvanic skin response (2nd reading) [Time frame: Periprocedural]
• Galvanic skin response (3rd reading) [Time frame: Periprocedural]
• Galvanic skin response (4rth reading) [Time frame: Periprocedural]

Eligibility criteria

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.

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: Yes

Study design

Allocation

Randomized

Model

Parallel assignment

Masking

Triple blind

Primary purpose

Health services research

Study locations

Pakistan · 1 center

• Riphah International University — Islamabad

Identifiers

NCT: NCT06941701 · REC/02028 Imran Amjad

Primary sources (government registries)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (US NIH)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗