Effects of Physical and Cognitive Fatigue on Reaction Time and Depth Perception in Adolescents

NCT07855406 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: Kaaslan-1
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study investigates how physical fatigue, cognitive fatigue, and a combination of both affect reaction time and depth perception in adolescents. Sixty healthy adolescents will participate in four experimental conditions: a control condition, a physical fatigue condition, a cognitive fatigue condition, and a combined fatigue condition. Physical fatigue will be induced using a modified shuttle run protocol, while cognitive fatigue will be induced using computerized Stroop and mental arithmetic tasks. Reaction time will be assessed using the BlazePod system, and depth perception will be evaluated using the Titmus Fly Stereotest before and after each condition. Heart rate, perceived exertion, and mental fatigue will also be measured to verify the effectiveness of the fatigue protocols. The findings may improve understanding of how different types of fatigue influence perceptual and motor performance in adolescents and may contribute to the development of safer and more effective training and sport participation strategies.

Conditions

Fatigue; Reaction Time; Depth Perception

Keywords

fatigue; reaction time; depth perception; cognitive performance; psychomotor performance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Reaction Time

  Reaction time will be assessed using the BlazePod wireless light-based system. Reaction time will be recorded in milliseconds as the latency between stimulus presentation and participant response. Two trials will be performed, and the best performance will be used for analysis.

  Immediately before and immediately after each experimental condition.

• Depth Perception

  Depth perception will be assessed using the Titmus Fly Stereotest. Stereopsis will be expressed in arc seconds, with lower values indicating better depth perception performance. Two trials will be conducted at each measurement point, and the lowest value will be used for analysis.

  Immediately before and immediately after each experimental condition.

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Heart Rate

  Immediately before and immediately after each experimental condition.

• Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE)

  Perceived exertion will be assessed using the Borg CR-20 Scale before and after each experimental condition to evaluate subjective fatigue levels.

• Mental Fatigue Scale Score

  Immediately before and immediately after each experimental condition.

Study Arms (4)

Control Condition

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants completed the testing procedures without exposure to any physical or cognitive fatigue protocol. Reaction time and depth perception were assessed before and after the control condition.

Other: Control Condition

Physical Fatigue Condition

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants completed a 16-minute modified 20-meter shuttle run protocol designed to induce physical fatigue. Reaction time and depth perception were assessed before and after the protocol.

Behavioral: Physical Fatigue Protocol

Cognitive Fatigue Condition

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants completed a 16-minute cognitive fatigue protocol consisting of an 8-minute Stroop task and an 8-minute mental arithmetic task. Reaction time and depth perception were assessed before and after the protocol.

Behavioral: Cognitive Fatigue Protocol

Combined Fatigue Condition

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants completed a combined fatigue protocol consisting of 8 minutes of a modified shuttle run followed by 4 minutes of a Stroop task and 4 minutes of a mental arithmetic task. Reaction time and depth perception were assessed before and after the protocol.

Behavioral: Combined Fatigue Protocol

Interventions

Physical Fatigue Protocol BEHAVIORAL

A 16-minute modified 20-meter shuttle run protocol designed to induce physical fatigue through progressively increasing running intensity.

Physical Fatigue Condition

Cognitive Fatigue Protocol BEHAVIORAL

A 16-minute computerized protocol consisting of Stroop and mental arithmetic tasks designed to induce cognitive fatigue.

Cognitive Fatigue Condition

Combined Fatigue Protocol BEHAVIORAL

A protocol combining physical and cognitive fatigue tasks, including a modified shuttle run, Stroop task, and mental arithmetic task.

Combined Fatigue Condition

Control Condition OTHER

Participants completed the testing procedures without exposure to any physical or cognitive fatigue protocol.

Control Condition

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 14 Years - 18 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Adolescents aged 14 to 18 years.
• Male or female participants.
• Normal or corrected-to-normal vision.
• Ability to understand and follow study procedures.
• Written informed consent from both the participant and a parent/legal guardian.

You may not qualify if:

• History of neurological disorders.
• Visual disorders affecting depth perception.
• Orthopedic injuries or musculoskeletal conditions limiting physical activity.
• Any medical condition that would contraindicate participation in physical exercise.
• Failure to complete all experimental sessions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• AslanAhmetKaan: lead

Study Sites (1)

Konya

Konya, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Fatigue

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Ahmet Kaan ASLAN, PhD

  Gazi University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: Blinding was not feasible because participants and investigators were aware of the fatigue condition being administered. The physical and cognitive fatigue protocols were readily identifiable, making masking impractical.
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Dr. Ahmet Kaan ASLAN

Model Details: This study uses a counterbalanced within-subject crossover design. Each participant completes four experimental conditions (control, physical fatigue, cognitive fatigue, and combined fatigue) in a randomized counterbalanced order. A minimum 24-hour washout period is provided between sessions to minimize carryover effects. Reaction time and depth perception are assessed immediately before and after each condition, allowing each participant to serve as their own control.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 28, 2026
• First Posted: October 2, 2026
• Study Start: April 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: May 21, 2026
• Study Completion: May 31, 2026
• Last Updated: October 2, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)