Acute Effects of Active Breaks and Physically Active Learning in University Students

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Sedentary Academic Review: A 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: A standardized 15-minute classroom physical activity break without academic content.

Physically Active Learning: A standardized 15-minute intervention combining physical activity with academic true/false questions. Participants respond to academic questions through predefined physical movements.

Study summary

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

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Change in Inhibitory Control Assessed by the Stroop Test — Immediately before and approximately 10 minutes after the 15-minute experimental condition, during each of the four experimental sessions.
  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.
• Change in Working Memory Assessed by the N-Back Test — Immediately before and approximately 10 minutes after the experimental condition, during each of the four experimental sessions.
  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.
• Immediate Academic Performance — Approximately 10 minutes after the experimental condition, during each of the four experimental sessions.
  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.

Trial sites (1)

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