Boosting Executive Function With Real-class Exercise
ConditionExecutive Functions (EF)
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age9-13
SponsorShenzhen University
About this trial
The goal of this study is to examine the effects of acute pre-class physical exercise on executive function in real classroom settings. The main question it aims to answer is, "Does acute pre-class exercise enhance executive function compared to sedentary conditions?" Participants were students from primary school assigned by class to engage in one of several pre-class conditions: mentally passive sitting, mentally active sitting, 5-minute physical exercise, or 10-minute physical exercise. A cluster-randomized trial design was used to ensure ecological validity in authentic classroom environments. Cognitive tasks measuring inhibitory control were administered at baseline and pre-/post-class.
The results indicate that pre-class exercise leads to greater improvements in inhibitory control than sedentary conditions, suggesting that integrating brief exercise sessions before lessons may be an effective strategy to optimize learning in educational contexts.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
right-handed, had normal or corrected-to-normal visual acuity, and normal color vision
Disqualifiers
reported a history of cardiovascular, metabolic, gastrointestinal, neurological, or psychiatric disorders or conditions requiring medical attention.
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Mentally active sitting
BehavioralParticipants remain seated for approximately 10 minutes before class while engaging in a cognitively stimulating activity designed to elicit mental effort without physical exertion.
5-minute physical exercise
BehavioralParticipants remain seated quietly for approximately 5 minutes before class without performing any structured cognitive or physical tasks. Then they will have 5-minute physical exercise before class.
10-minute physical exercise
BehavioralParticipants do 10-minute physical exercise before class.
Treatment groups
240 Participants
are divided into 4 treatment groupsGroup A: mentally passive sedentary behaviorNo intervention 0 interventions
Group B: mentally active sedentary behaviorActive comparator 1 intervention
Group C: 5-minute physical exerciseExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group D: 10-minute physical exerciseExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Domain- specific Cognition
This indicator is measured using the computerized Children's Version of the math-related Negative Priming task. The underlying measures employed are task accuracy and reaction time, without involving any physiological measurements.
Time frame
Measurements were taken at three time points: baseline (0:00), after the 10-minute intervention (0:15), and following the 40-minute class (0:60).2
Domain-general Cognition
This indicator is measured using the computerized Children's Version of the Erikson Flanker task. The underlying measures employed are task accuracy and reaction time, without involving any physiological measurements.
Time frame
Measurements were taken at three time points: baseline (0:00), after the 10-minute intervention (0:15), and following the 40-minute class (0:60).Locations
Sponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov
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