An interventional study of Sedentary Academic Review and Active Break in Cognitive Performance and Academic Performance, sponsored by Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Spain. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-10.
Sponsored by Universidad Complutense de Madrid · Not applicable, Interventional, and Basic science
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.
This is a multicenter, randomized, counterbalanced crossover study conducted in university students from eight Spanish universities.
Participants will first complete a familiarization session in which study procedures, cognitive assessments, and the participant identification system will be explained and practiced.
Each participant will subsequently complete four experimental sessions, separated by at least one week whenever feasible. Each experimental session will include:
The four experimental conditions will be:
A. Sedentary free break without academic content. B. Sedentary academic review using true/false questions. C. Active break without academic content. D. Physically active learning combining the same physical activities used in Condition C with academic true/false questions.
The order of the four conditions will be randomized and counterbalanced across participating groups. Participants will therefore act as their own controls.
A subsample of participants may wear accelerometers to objectively characterize physical activity and sedentary behavior during the experimental sessions.
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants complete a 15-minute sedentary break without structured physical activity or academic review.
Participants remain sedentary during a 15-minute academic review activity based on true/false questions related to content presented during the preceding 45 minutes of class.
Behavioral: Sedentary Academic Review
Participants complete a standardized 15-minute active break involving moderate physical activities without academic content.
Behavioral: Active Break
Participants complete a standardized 15-minute physically active learning session combining physical movements with true/false questions related to academic content presented during the preceding 45 minutes.
Behavioral: Physically Active Learning
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.
A standardized 15-minute classroom physical activity break without academic content.
A standardized 15-minute intervention combining physical activity with academic true/false questions. Participants respond to academic questions through predefined physical movements.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Plan to share: No — Individual participant data will not be publicly shared due to data protection and confidentiality considerations. Aggregated and anonymized study results may be made available upon reasonable request, subject to institutional and ethical approval.
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Universidad Complutense de Madrid