An interventional study of Low Exercise and Moderate-Intensity Exercise in Exercise Training, BDNF and Cognitive Functions, sponsored by Aksaray University Training and Research Hospital. Completed at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to male participants aged 18 Years to 25 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-01-30.
Sponsored by Aksaray University Training and Research Hospital · Not applicable, Interventional, and Basic science
Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine the acute effects of different exercise intensities (low, moderate, high) on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, trail making test performance, and perceived sensation scale.
Method
This randomized crossover controlled trial aimes to examine the acute effects of four experimental conditions-high-intensity interval training (HIIT), moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), low-intensity continuous training (LICT), and a resting control (CTRL)-on cognitive performance (via the Stroop test, targeting executive function) and associated neurochemical responses (e.g., serum BDNF and blood lactate levels) in healthy young adults aged 18-25 years.
All participants will complete the four conditions in a randomized and counterbalanced manner. To ensure balanced exposure, they were assigned to one of four groups (n = 3 per group), each following a distinct condition order based on a Latin square design. This approach guaranteed that each session occurred equally across time points (sessions 1-4) and that the order minimized sequence effects by rotating the position of each condition relative to the others.
To control for potential carryover-particularly from elevated neurochemical responses following intense exercise (BDNF increases reported -no two high-intensity sessions will be scheduled consecutively. Where possible, higher and lower intensity protocols will be alternated. Furthermore, a seven-day interval separated each session to reduce residual physiological or cognitive effects.
The trial protocol was developed in line with CONSORT and SPIRIT guidelines, including relevant extensions for within-subject designs and non-pharmacological interventions. Participants were blinded to the study hypothesis (Pandis et al., 2017; Hopewell et al., 2025).
All exercise sessions will be conducted under supervision of a certified strength and conditioning coach to ensure consistency and adherence to protocol. in the morning (09:00-11:00) on a track and field pitch to control for chronobiological variation. Participants were instructed to avoid strenuous activity for 48 hours prior, abstain from alcohol and caffeine for 24 hours, and obtain at least 7-8 hours of sleep before each session. Dietary habits and general lifestyle were to remain unchanged throughout the study.
During the first visit, participants' body weight and body fat percentage were assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Resting heart rate was then recorded, followed by administration of the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 to determine maximal aerobic speed, aerobic capacity, and peak heart rate.
In the following four visits, each participant completed all experimental conditions. Each exercise session will begin with a standardized 10-minute warm-up, including light jogging, dynamic stretching, and movement preparation drills.
All exercise sessions were conducted on a standard track and field facility and lasted 40 minutes in total, consisting of a 10-minute standardized warm-up, 24 minutes of exercise, and a 5-minute recovery period. The exercise component was individually prescribed based on each participant's maximal aerobic speed, determined from the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1. All running distances were calculated individually using time × speed formulas based on each participant's maximal aerobic speed, ensuring workload equivalence across conditions.
Venous blood samples were collected before and immediately after each session to assess neurochemical markers. Subsequently, cognitive performance was evaluated using the computerized Stroop test to measure executive function. Heart rate was continuously monitored during all exercise conditions using a Polar V800 device. Following each session, psychophysiological responses were assessed using the Rating of Perceived Exertion scale and the Exercise Enjoyment Scale.
50 studies on the registry are indexed under Hyperlactatemia; 7 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 12 is below the median of 38 across 32 interventional studies indexed under Hyperlactatemia.
Browse Hyperlactatemia studies →Aksaray University Training and Research Hospital is the lead sponsor of 25 studies on the registry; 2 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
They will be asked to perform low intensity exercise for the specified time, determined according to their maximal oxygen consumption capacity.
Behavioral: Low Exercise
They will be asked to perform moderate intensity exercise for the specified time, determined according to their maximal oxygen consumption capacity.
Behavioral: Moderate-Intensity Exercise
They will be asked to perform HIIT exercise for the specified time, determined according to their maximal oxygen consumption capacity.
Behavioral: HIIT Exercise
They will be asked to wait without exercising.
• Low-Intensity Continuous Training (LICT): Participants will run continuously for 24 minutes at 50-60% of their MAS without breaks.
Also known as: Low Intensity Exercise
Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT): Participants will run at a speed corresponding to 70-80% of their MAS. The protocol consists of four 4-minute bouts, separated by 2-minute active recovery periods, during which participants performed light jogging. This pattern totaled 24 minutes of exercise.
Also known as: Moderate Intensity Exercise
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): Participants will run at 110% of their MAS for 15-second intervals, covering a pre-calculated distance during each bout. After each 15-second sprint, they will rest passively for 15 seconds and returned to their starting point. This will be repeated continuously for 3 minutes, constituting one set. A total of four 3-minute sets will be completed, interspersed with 3-minute passive rest periods, yielding a total exercise time of 24 minutes.
BDNF
BDNF will be measured using a Sunred brand ELISA kit from blood samples taken baseline and after exercise, and the results will be reported in pg/mL units.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after exercise (Day 1)
Lactate
Lactate levels will be measured in millimoles per liter (mmol/L) from capillary/venous blood samples taken before and after exercise using a lactate analyzer.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after exercise (Day 1)
Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale
Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) will be scored on the Borg 6-20 scale, where 6 indicates "no exertion" and 20 indicates "maximal exertion." Higher scores reflect greater perceived effort.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after exercise (Day 1)
Exercise Enjoyment Scale
This outcome measures the participant's subjective enjoyment of the exercise session. Participants are asked to rate how much they enjoyed the exercise immediately after completion using a 7-point Likert scale ranging from 1 ("not enjoyable at all") to 7 ("extremely enjoyable"). The scale captures affective responses to physical activity, which can provide insight into adherence, motivation, and overall exercise experience.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after exercise (Day 1)
Plan to share: Undecided
Ran from Jun 2025 to primary completion in Aug 2025, 2 months.
Of 17 interventional studies with no phase under Hyperlactatemia, half reached primary completion within 8 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 3 and three quarters within 12. This study's 2 months is below that.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
This study is completed, as verified in Jan 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.
Aksaray University Training and Research Hospital