Muévete conCiencia: Exercise and Mind-Body Program for First-Year University Students

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether different physical exercise and mind-body interventions can improve executive functions and reduce stress in first-year university students.

The study focuses on healthy undergraduate students, men and women, aged approximately 18-25 years, enrolled in the first year of health-related programs at a Chilean university.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Do high-intensity dual-task physical exercise interventions improve executive functions (working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility) and reduce stress in university students? Do mind-body exercise interventions (Tai Chi) reduce stress levels, measured through self-report and psychobiological biomarkers (cortisol)? Are there differential effects between high-intensity dual-task exercise, low-to-moderate intensity mind-body exercise, and cognitive stimulation on executive functioning and stress-related outcomes?

Researchers will compare:

* high-intensity dual-task exercise group, * low-to-moderate intensity mind-body exercise group (Tai Chi), and * cognitive stimulation control group,

To determine whether physically integrated motor-cognitive training produces greater improvements in executive functions and stress biomarkers than mind-body exercise or cognitive stimulation alone.

Participants will:

Complete baseline pre-intervention and post-intervention assessments, Neuropsychological tests of executive functions (working memory, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility), Self-reported academic stress questionnaires, Psychobiological measures of stress (hair cortisol, salivary cortisol), Physical activity, anthropometric, and sociodemographic assessments.

Participate for 12 weeks (22 sessions, twice per week) in one of the following interventions:

High-intensity dual-task physical exercise, combining aerobic, strength, and motor-cognitive tasks; Low-to-moderate intensity mind-body exercise (Tai Chi) emphasizing mindful movement, balance, breathing, and attentional control; Cognitive stimulation sessions using a structured digital cognitive training program.

All sessions will be conducted in supervised, controlled settings by trained professionals, following standardized protocols to ensure safety, consistency, and adherence.