NCT04863469

Brain-Physical Optimization Conditioning

Neurocognitive Optimization and Enhancement for Brain Health and Performance

• Status: Unknown
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 66 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) · Federal
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 40 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Brain-Physical Optimization Conditioning (B-POC) aims to enhance physical performance by expanding the traditional focus of endurance training from purely physical training to the domain of cognitive endurance (Staiano et al., 2015; Dallaway et al., 2017). The current study seeks to isolate neurocognitive mechanisms of performance, particularly under high stress (e.g., physical or cognitive load) conditions, and to develop corresponding cognitive optimization tools.

Detailed description

Brain-Physical Optimization Conditioning (B-POC) aims to enhance physical performance by expanding the traditional focus of endurance training from purely physical training to the domain of cognitive endurance (Staiano et al., 2015; Dallaway et al., 2017). B-POC uses an acute mentally fatiguing task during routine exercise with the aim of optimizing the effects of physical endurance (e.g., aerobic exercise). B-POC differs from other types of cognitive training by increasing the cognitive demands of a specific concurrent task rather than teaching a cognitive strategy and relying on task transfer effects. Similar to strengthening a muscle, cognitive trainings may be one means of increasing Soldier's cognitive capacity and improving performance (Walton et al., 2018).

Conditions

• Physical Performance

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	B-POC high load intervention	aerobic exercise \[heartrate range (HRR) 70-75% of max HR, on treadmill\] and a computerized high-load task for 45 minutes, 3 times per week, for 6 weeks
BEHAVIORAL	B-POC low load intervention	aerobic exercise \[heartrate range (HRR) 70-75% of max HR, on treadmill\] and a computerized low-load task for 45 minutes, 3 times per week, for 6 weeks

Timeline

• Start date: 2020-10-20
• Primary completion: 2023-10-20
• Completion: 2025-10-20
• First posted: 2021-04-28
• Last updated: 2022-03-31

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States