Psychological Impacts of Exercise Snacks Versus Traditional Exercise: A Comparative Study

NCT07666893 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: WTU-TMB-260316
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 199
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study investigates the comparative psychological impacts of a high-frequency "Exercise Snacks" (ESG) protocol versus a traditional continuous exercise (TEG) regimen on healthy young adults. Utilizing a randomized controlled trial design over a 4-week longitudinal period, 180 participants were allocated into two groups of 90, with a standby recruitment protocol employed to ensure sample size stability. The intervention was standardized to equate total weekly exercise volume at 90 minutes. The TEG cohort performed 30-minute continuous cycling sessions three times per week, whereas the ESG cohort executed 15-minute distributed cycling sessions six times per week. To ensure physiological homogeneity and precision in workload prescription, individual baseline maximal aerobic capacity was assessed via incremental cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Based on these individual thresholds, exercise intensity for both cohorts was rigorously maintained at 40% of their respective maximal aerobic capacity throughout the intervention. Psychometric outcomes were evaluated within 24 hours of the intervention's conclusion, focusing on three dimensions: Perceived Stress, Decision Fatigue and Cognitive Load, and Physical Activity Enjoyment. By applying Lazarus and Folkman's Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, Sweller's Cognitive Load Theory, and Self-Determination Theory, this research examines how fragmented exercise protocols interact with daily workflow and self-regulatory resources. The findings provide critical insights into the real-world viability, behavioral resistance, and psychological divergence associated with high-frequency, fragmented exercise routines compared to conventional models.

Conditions

Psychological Stress; Mental Fatigue; Cognitive Dysfunction; Emotional Well-being

Keywords

Attention Restoration Theory; Psychophysiological Restoration

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Decision Fatigue and Cognitive Load (DFCL)

  This outcome assesses the depletion of self-regulatory resources and the cognitive strain resulting from executive function demands. It utilizes a validated psychometric instrument to evaluate task-switching costs and perceived mental exertion following daily activities.

  Within 24 hours post-intervention.

• Perceived Stress (PS)

  This outcome measures the subjective psychological distress experienced by participants. It evaluates the extent to which participants perceive situations in their lives as uncontrollable, unpredictable, and overloaded, as assessed by the standardized Perceived Stress Scale (PSS).

  Within 24 hours post-intervention.

• Physical Activity Enjoyment (PAE)

  This outcome evaluates the participant's affective response to the assigned exercise modality. It captures factors such as acute enjoyment, perceived satisfaction, and the psychological impact of logistical friction associated with the specific exercise protocol (ESG vs. TEG).

  Within 24 hours post-intervention.

Study Arms (2)

Exercise Snacks Group (ESG)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group perform high-frequency, fragmented exercise sessions. The protocol consists of six 15-minute cycling sessions per week, totaling 90 minutes of moderate-intensity activity. The exercise intensity is strictly regulated at 40% of the individual's maximal aerobic capacity, monitored via electronically braked cycle ergometers.

Behavioral: Exercise Snacks Group (ESG)

Traditional Exercise Group (TEG)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this group follow a structured, continuous exercise protocol. The intervention involves three 30-minute sessions of continuous cycling per week, totaling 90 minutes of moderate-intensity activity. Consistent with the ESG cohort, exercise intensity is maintained at 40% of the individual's maximal aerobic capacity to ensure physiological equivalence between groups.

Behavioral: Traditional Exercise Group (TEG)

Interventions

Traditional Exercise Group (TEG) BEHAVIORAL

Participants perform structured, continuous exercise consisting of three 30-minute cycling sessions per week, totaling 90 minutes of weekly activity. To ensure physiological equivalence, the exercise intensity is also strictly maintained at 40% of the individual's maximal aerobic capacity. Participants utilize the same digitized, electronically braked stationary ergometers as the ESG group to ensure consistent monitoring of exercise duration and intensity throughout the 4-week intervention period.

Traditional Exercise Group (TEG)

Exercise Snacks Group (ESG) BEHAVIORAL

Participants perform high-frequency, fragmented exercise consisting of six 15-minute cycling sessions per week, totaling 90 minutes of weekly activity. The exercise intensity is strictly prescribed and maintained at 40% of the individual's maximal aerobic capacity, as determined by preliminary cardiopulmonary testing. All sessions are conducted on digitized, electronically braked stationary ergometers to ensure precise, real-time monitoring of power output and strict adherence to the prescribed workload.

Exercise Snacks Group (ESG)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Healthy young adults (aged 18-30).
• Body composition within the healthy range (12%-25% for males; 18%-33% for females).
• Able and willing to provide informed consent and adhere to the 4-week exercise protocol.

You may not qualify if:

• Pre-existing cardiovascular, metabolic, or chronic respiratory conditions.
• History of musculoskeletal injuries that prevent safe participation in cycling.
• Current engagement in regular, structured exercise exceeding 60 minutes per week.
• Use of medications or substances known to significantly influence heart rate, cognitive performance, or stress responses.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Lincoln University College: lead
• Wuhan Technical University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Wuhan Technical University

Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stress, Psychological; Mental Fatigue; Cognitive Dysfunction

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Fatigue; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Cognition Disorders; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Doctoral Researcher

Model Details: The study is a 4-week longitudinal randomized controlled trial (RCT) designed to compare the psychometric outcomes of two distinct exercise modalities: a high-frequency "Exercise Snacks" (ESG) protocol and a traditional continuous exercise (TEG) model. The research aims to evaluate the behavioral and psychological divergence between these two paradigms regarding their impact on cognitive load and perceived stress.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 18, 2026
• First Posted: June 24, 2026
• Study Start: March 16, 2026
• Primary Completion: June 16, 2026
• Study Completion: June 16, 2026
• Last Updated: June 24, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CN (1)