NCT07379879

Brief Summary

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.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
12

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Aug 2025

Shorter than P25 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

August 1, 2025

Completed
2 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

September 20, 2025

Completed
5 days until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

September 25, 2025

Completed
4 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

January 24, 2026

Completed
9 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

February 2, 2026

Completed
Last Updated

February 2, 2026

Status Verified

January 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

2 months

First QC Date

January 24, 2026

Last Update Submit

January 30, 2026

Conditions

BDNFCognitive PerformanceLactateExercise Intensity

Keywords

BDNFCognitive PerformanceStroop Test

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

  • 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.

    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.

    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.

    Baseline and immediately after exercise (Day 1)

Study Arms (4)

Control

NO INTERVENTION

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.

Low-intensity continuous training

EXPERIMENTAL

They were asked to perform low intensity exercise for the specified time, determined according to their maximal oxygen consumption capacity.

Behavioral: Low Intensity Exercise

Moderate-intensity continuous training

EXPERIMENTAL

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

High-intensity interval training

EXPERIMENTAL

They were asked to perform HIIT exercise for the specified time, determined according to their maximal oxygen consumption capacity.

Behavioral: High-Intensity Interval Training

Interventions

Low Intensity ExerciseBEHAVIORAL

Participants ran continuously for 24 minutes at 50-60% of their MAS without rest

Low-intensity continuous training
Moderate-Intensity Continuous ExerciseBEHAVIORAL

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

Moderate-intensity continuous training
High-Intensity Interval TrainingBEHAVIORAL

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

High-intensity interval training

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 25 Years
Sexmale(Gender-based eligibility)
Gender Eligibility DetailsOnly male participants were eligible to participate in this study based on biological sex.
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

  • Aged between 18 and 25 years
  • No known medical condition that prevents participation in exercise
  • Not currently using any pharmacological agents

You may not qualify if:

  • Experiencing any discomfort before, during, or after exercise
  • Current or past diagnosis of pharmacological or doping substance use
  • Engaging in regular exercise (more than 3 times per week) within the last 2 weeks
  • History of alcohol or substance addiction
  • Any other condition or factor that may prevent full participation in the study protocol

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Aksaray University

Aksaray, Center, 68000, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

High-Intensity Interval Training

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Physical Conditioning, HumanExerciseMotor ActivityMovementMusculoskeletal Physiological PhenomenaMusculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT
Purpose
BASIC SCIENCE
Intervention Model
CROSSOVER
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Assoc. Prof.

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

January 24, 2026

First Posted

February 2, 2026

Study Start

August 1, 2025

Primary Completion

September 20, 2025

Study Completion

September 25, 2025

Last Updated

February 2, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Locations

TU(1)