The Effect of Different Physical Activity Strategy on Cognitive Efficiency and Mental Fatigue Resistance

Official title

The Effect of Different Physical Activity Strategy on Cognitive Efficiency and Mental Fatigue Resistance During a Simulated Mental Working Day

Overview

The main aim of this biomedical study is to determine the effect of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, before and after an 8-hour workday and a combined work model, on the performance and efficiency of cognitive functions during mental work. There are lack of previous studies analysing the effects of different physical activity strategies on cognitive efficiency and investigating mental fatigue resistance. Limited research in this area shows that the mechanism of the effect of physical activity on mental fatigue resistance is still unclear. This research will aim to investigate different physical activity strategies, such as combined work model and moderate intensity physical activity before and after office workday, and their impact on a mental and emotional fatigue, cognitive efficiency, sympathetic and parasympathetic systems and metabolic indicators during mentally demanding 8 h workday.

Detailed description

Prolonged sedentary behavior and sustained cognitive workload during typical office workdays contribute significantly to the onset of acute mental fatigue (Kunasegaran et al., 2023). This condition is linked to physiological mechanisms such as reduced cerebral blood flow, diminished glucose availability and transport to active brain regions (García et al., 2021; Kennedy \& Scholey, 2000), as well as hormonal alterations (Miyashita \& Williams, 2006; Wiehler et al., 2022). These changes negatively impact cognitive efficiency, motivation, and overall brain function (Kunasegaran et al., 2023; Tran et al., 2020). While existing evidence supports the positive influence of physical activity on physical and mental health (Calderwood et al., 2021; Jacquet et al., 2021), there remains a lack of research specifically examining how different physical activity strategies influence cognitive efficiency and resistance to mental fatigue.

This study aims to address this gap by investigating the effects of various physical activity interventions, including a combined work-exercise model and moderate-intensity aerobic exercise performed either before or after an 8-hour mentally demanding workday. Outcomes will focus on mental and emotional fatigue, cognitive efficiency, autonomic nervous system activity (sympathetic and parasympathetic balance), and metabolic responses. By evaluating these parameters, the study seeks to clarify the potential of targeted physical activity strategies to enhance mental fatigue resistance and support cognitive performance in occupational settings. The findings are expected to contribute valuable insight into the development of effective workplace interventions that promote employee well-being, productivity, and resilience.

Interventions

• Other 8 hours simulated mental workday
  During a simulated 8-hour mental work day, subjects will complete a set of cognitive tests (ANAM4, version 4; Vista Life Science, Norman, OK, USA) 8 times (1 session approximately 45 minutes), with a break of approximately 10 minutes after each session.
• Other Moderate intensity aerobic activity
  In one of the conditions, subjects will perform moderate intensity aerobic activity (cycle veloergometer) for 30 min before 8 hours simulated mental workday and after.
• Other Combined work model
  In one of the conditions, subjects will perform cognitive test during 8 hours simulated mental workday applying combined work model (they will work standing and sitting on a balance ball).

Primary outcome measures

• Body mass and body composition (kg) [Time frame: 2 times in the mornings (day 1 and day 2) of each 3 conditions.]
• Height (m) [Time frame: 2 times in the mornings (day 1 and day 2) of each 3 conditions.]
• Brain hemodynamic response [Time frame: Before, immediately after the simulated mental workday, 3 hours after the simulated mental workday, and 12 hours recovery after a simulated mental workday in 3 conditions.]
• Cognitive performance [Time frame: Day 1 in 3 different conditions, in 1 condition 8 times for 45 minutes.]
• Blood pressure (mmHg) [Time frame: 11 times during 1 condition (total 33 times).]
• Heart rate and heart rate variability (ms) [Time frame: During 1 condition rest measurements in the morning, during brain hemodynamic response (3 times during 1 condition), during every session of 8 hours simultaneous mental work day, total 3 conditions.]
• Glucose level (mmol/l) [Time frame: 9 times during 1 condition (total 27 times).]
• Ketones level (mmol/L) [Time frame: 9 times during 1 condition (total 27 times).]
• Lactate level (mmol/L) [Time frame: 9 times during 1 condition (total 27 times).]
• Salivary cortisol concentration (µg/dl) [Time frame: 11 times during 1 condition (total 33 times).]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

• BMI from 18.5 to 24.9 kg/ m2;
• No chronic non-communicable diseases;
• No mental illnesses or disorders;
• No cancer and no chemotherapy in the last 5 years;
• No hearing impairment;
• No smoking;
• No psychotropic substances;
• Heart rate (HR) about 60 bpm at rest;
• Unimpaired color vision;
• Unimpaired or corrected vision;
• Systolic blood pressure from 90 to 139 mmHg, and diastolic - from 50 to 89 mmHg at rest.

Exclusion criteria

• mental, oncological, metabolic, cardiovascular, skeletal, muscular, respiratory system disorders or diseases, impaired color vision.

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

Crossover

Masking

Open label

Primary purpose

Prevention

Study locations

Lithuania · 1 center

• Institute of Sport Science and Innovations — Kaunas

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07130825 · LithuananianSportsU-23

Primary sources (government registries)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (US NIH)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗