An interventional study of Low Intensity Exercise and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Exercise in BDNF, Cognitive Performance and Lactate, 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 2026-02-02.
Sponsored by Aksaray University Training and Research Hospital · Not applicable, Interventional, and Basic science
This study examines whether the intensity of a single running session changes a blood marker related to brain health (brain-derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF), blood lactate, and performance on a short thinking task that measures attention and self-control (the Stroop test) in healthy young adult men.
Twelve healthy males (18-25 years) will complete four separate sessions in a randomized, counterbalanced order, with at least 7 days between sessions. Each session includes an 8-minute warm-up followed by 24 minutes of one of the following conditions: low-intensity continuous running, moderate-intensity continuous running, high-intensity interval running (repeated 15-second fast runs with 15-second passive rest, organized into sets), or a seated rest control session. Running pace will be individualized based on a prior fitness test.
A small venous blood sample (about 8 mL) will be collected immediately before and within 1 minute after each session. After each session, participants will complete the Stroop test. The main outcomes are the before-to-after changes in serum BDNF, blood lactate, and Stroop test performance across the four conditions.
Aksaray University Training and Research Hospital is the lead sponsor of 25 studies on the registry; 2 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Participants remained seated quietly at rest for 24 minutes in a quiet, well-lit room, matched to the exercise sessions for time schedule and environmental conditions. No physical activity was performed during this period.
They were asked to perform low intensity exercise for the specified time, determined according to their maximal oxygen consumption capacity.
Behavioral: Low Intensity Exercise
They were asked to perform moderate intensity exercise for the specified time, determined according to their maximal oxygen consumption capacity.
Behavioral: Moderate-Intensity Continuous Exercise
They were asked to perform HIIT exercise for the specified time, determined according to their maximal oxygen consumption capacity.
Behavioral: High-Intensity Interval Training
Participants ran continuously for 24 minutes at 50-60% of their MAS without rest
Participants completed a continuous 24-min running bout at 70-80% of their MAS. The exercise was performed at a steady, uninterrupted pace throughout the session, with no planned rest periods. Participants were instructed to maintain the prescribed pace for the entire duration
Participants performed 15-s running bouts at 110-120% of MAS, with the target distance for each bout pre-calculated from individual MAS (speed × time). Running was conducted shuttle-style between two cones. At the whistle, participants ran from one cone to the other for 15 s and then remained standing still for a 15-s passive rest at that cone. At the next whistle, they ran back in the opposite direction, followed by another 15-s stationary recovery. This 15-s run/15-s recovery cycle continued for 3 min, constituting one set (6 runs and 6 recovery intervals per set). Four sets were completed, separated by 3-min passive inter-set rest, resulting in a total session duration of 24 min
Lactate
Lactate levels were measured in millimoles per liter (mmol/L) from capillary/venous blood samples taken before and after exercise using a lactate analyzer.
Time frame: Baseline, Immediately After Exercise (Day 1)
BDNF
BDNF levels were measured using a Sunred brand ELISA kit from blood samples taken baseline and after exercise, and the results were reported in ng/mL units.
Time frame: Baseline, Immediately After Exercise (Day 1)
Stroop Test
Stroop test performance will be assessed as an indicator of executive function, primarily selective attention and inhibitory control. In this task, participants are required to identify the ink color of presented stimuli while suppressing the automatic tendency to read the written word, particularly during incongruent trials (e.g., the word "red" printed in blue ink). The test will be administered immediately after each session. Outcomes will include reaction time and accuracy (and/or an interference score derived from incongruent vs. congruent conditions). Reaction time will be recorded in seconds (s), with poorer performance reflected by slower responses and/or more errors.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after exercise (Day 1)
Plan to share: Undecided — A key risk is participant re-identification due to the small sample size and the presence of biomarker and performance data that could enable triangulation, even after de-identification.
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Ran from Aug 2025 to primary completion in Sep 2025, 1 month.
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Aksaray University Training and Research Hospital