Acute Effects of Active Breaks and Physically Active Learning in University Students
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorUniversidad Complutense de Madrid
About this trial
This multicenter randomized crossover study will examine the acute effects of four classroom break conditions on executive functions, immediate academic performance, perceived exertion, and interest-enjoyment in university students. Each participant will complete four experimental sessions in which a different 15-minute condition will be implemented: a sedentary free break, a sedentary academic review break, an active break without academic content, and physically active learning combining movement with academic review. Cognitive performance will be assessed before and after each session using Stroop and N-Back tasks. Academic performance, perceived exertion, and interest-enjoyment will be assessed after each experimental session.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
University students aged 18 years or older.
Currently enrolled in one of the participating university courses/classes.
Provision of informed consent.
Ability to participate safely in light-to-moderate classroom physical activity.
Disqualifiers
Injury, illness, or medical condition contraindicating participation in physical activity.
Acute illness or other condition on the day of testing likely to substantially affect attention or cognitive performance.
Inability to complete the required computerized cognitive assessments.
Trial design
Design model
Crossover
Treatments tested in this trial
Sedentary Academic Review
BehavioralA 15-minute sedentary academic review activity using 10 true/false questions based on academic content presented during the first 45 minutes of the session.
Active Break
BehavioralA standardized 15-minute classroom physical activity break without academic content.
Physically Active Learning
BehavioralA standardized 15-minute intervention combining physical activity with academic true/false questions. Participants respond to academic questions through predefined physical movements.
Treatment groups
700 Participants
are divided into 4 treatment groupsGroup A: Sedentary Free BreakNo intervention 0 interventions
Group B: Sedentary Academic ReviewExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group C: Active Break Without Academic ContentExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group D: Physically Active LearningExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Change in Inhibitory Control Assessed by the Stroop Test
Inhibitory control will be assessed using the Stroop task. Outcomes will include response accuracy and reaction time. Acute change will be calculated by comparing PRE and POST performance within each experimental session.
Time frame
Immediately before and approximately 10 minutes after the 15-minute experimental condition, during each of the four experimental sessions.2
Change in Working Memory Assessed by the N-Back Test
Working memory will be assessed using the N-Back task. Outcomes will include accuracy, omissions/errors, and reaction time. Acute change will be calculated from PRE to POST within each experimental session.
Time frame
Immediately before and approximately 10 minutes after the experimental condition, during each of the four experimental sessions.3
Immediate Academic Performance
Academic performance will be assessed using a 10-item multiple-choice test developed specifically for the academic content taught during each experimental session. Each question will have three response options and one correct answer. The outcome will be the number of correct responses, ranging from 0 to 10.
Time frame
Approximately 10 minutes after the experimental condition, during each of the four experimental sessions.Secondary outcomes
1
Interest-Enjoyment
Interest and enjoyment will be assessed using three items from the Interest/Enjoyment subscale of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory.
Time frame
Approximately 10 minutes after the experimental condition, during each of the four experimental sessions.2
Rating of Perceived Exertion
Perceived exertion during the 15-minute experimental condition will be assessed using a 0-10 Rating of Perceived Exertion scale, where higher scores indicate greater perceived exertion.
Time frame
Approximately 10 minutes after the experimental condition, during each of the four experimental sessions.Other outcomes
1
Physical Activity During Experimental Sessions
In a subsample of participants, triaxial accelerometers will objectively assess sedentary time, light physical activity, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and mean activity intensity during the experimental sessions.
Time frame
Throughout each experimental classroom session, approximately 2 hours.Sponsors and contacts
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Lead sponsor
Universidad Pública de Navarra
Collaborator
Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
Collaborator
Universidad Politecnica de Madrid
Collaborator
University of Castilla-La Mancha
Collaborator
University of Alcala
Collaborator
University of Huelva
Collaborator
Universitat de les Illes Balears
Collaborator
Source ClinicalTrials.gov
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