Active Versus Passive Sitting, Cognition and Energy

NCT07699848 | Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: 20260691FP00021633
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 35
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The study will compare cognitive capacity, muscle utilization patterns, soft tissue seated pressure and caloric output during four seated conditions:

1. 1.passive sitting in a regular chair;
2. 2.passive sitting in an exercise chair;
3. 3.sitting in the exercise chair during active dynamic exercise; and,
4. 4.sitting in the chair during active static exercise.

Conditions

Electromyography; Pressure Injury of Back

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (6)

• Differences in cognitive performance among chair conditions as measured by the Psychomotor Vigilance Test in number of key depressions

  Cognitive performance will be assessed using the 3-minute Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT). During the test, participants will press the space bar as quickly as possible in response to the appearance of a visual stimulus on a computer screen. Performance will be measured as the total number of valid responses recorded during the test. Higher values indicate greater alertness, sustained attention, and reaction speed.

  Approximately 3 minutes

• Executive function among chair conditions as measured by the Stroop Test using words counted.

  Executive function will be assessed using the Stroop Test, a cognitive task requiring participants to respond to color word stimuli. The outcome will be measured by total words counted, reported as the number of words.

  Approximately 5 minutes.

• Executive function among chair conditions as measured by the Stroop Test using error rate.

  Executive function will be assessed using the Stroop Test, a cognitive task requiring participants to respond to color word stimuli. The outcome will be measured by error rate, reported as the percentage of errors.

  Approximately 5 minutes.

• Muscle activity among chair conditions using electromyography

  Muscle activity will be assessed using surface electromyography (EMG). Muscle activation will be quantified as EMG amplitude, measured in microvolts (µV) from EMG recordings. Higher values indicate greater muscle activity.

  Approximately 45 minutes

• Peak seated tissue pressure among chair conditions using a pressure sensitive mat

  Seated tissue pressure will be assessed using a pressure-sensitive mat placed on the seat surface of each chair. Peak pressure will be recorded to quantify the highest pressure exerted at the seating interface during each chair condition, measured in kilopascals. Higher values indicate greater localized pressure on seated tissues.

  Approximately 15 minutes

• Metabolic cost of sitting among the chair conditions using a portable oxygen consumption unit

  Metabolic cost during sitting will be assessed under each chair condition using a portable indirect calorimetry device. Participants will wear a facemask that measures oxygen consumption (VO₂) and carbon dioxide production (VCO₂). These measurements will be used to estimate energy expenditure during the sitting period. Higher values indicate greater metabolic cost.

  Approximately 25 minutes

Study Arms (4)

Passive Comparator: Traditional Chair

NO INTERVENTION

Participant will sit in the traditional chair for the amount of time it takes them to read a scientific article.

Passive Comparator: Exercise Chair

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Participant will sit in the exercise chair for the amount of time it takes them to read a scientific article.

Behavioral: Chaircise

Experimental: Dynamic Leg Exercise in Exercise Chair

EXPERIMENTAL

Participant will sit in the exercise chair for the amount of time it takes them to read a scientific article while actively pushing down and releasing the foot operated lever as many times as possible.

Behavioral: Chaircise

Experimental: Static Leg Exercise in Exercise Chair

EXPERIMENTAL

Participant will sit in the exercise chair for the amount of time it takes them to read a scientific article while actively pushing down and holding the foot operated lever.

Behavioral: Chaircise

Interventions

Chaircise BEHAVIORAL

A chair-based exercise program using a specialized chair with a foot lever that allows participants to lift their body weight.

Experimental: Dynamic Leg Exercise in Exercise Chair; Experimental: Static Leg Exercise in Exercise Chair; Passive Comparator: Exercise Chair

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 70 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Adult (18-70)

You may not qualify if:

• Any current injury in the lower limb or trunk.
• Use of prescription drugs or supplements that may affect cardiovascular or neuromuscular responses.
• Reported lack of sleep or stress that may affect physiological responses to exercise.
• Cardiovascular, respiratory, neurologic, balance, metabolic, or musculoskeletal conditions that could increase risk during exercise testing

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Miami: lead
• Robot Studios: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Laboratory of Neuromuscular Research and Active Aging

Coral Gables, Florida, 33146, United States

RECRUITING

Study Officials

• Joseph J Signorile, PhD

  University of Miami - Coral Gables Campus

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Joseph Signorile J Joseph Signorile, PhD

CONTACT

3058981458; jsignorile@miami.edu

Ethan J Elkins, MS

CONTACT

3052844173; exe453@miami.edu

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: Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 7, 2026
• First Posted: July 13, 2026
• Study Start: July 7, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 30, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 30, 2027
• Last Updated: July 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)