Strength Training and Executive Functions: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Executive Function Disorder; Academic Achievement; Strength Training; Adolescent Behavior
• Interventions: Behavioral: Strength training; Behavioral: Stretch and balance training

• Registration Number: NCT04488445
• Lead Sponsor: Universidad de Zaragoza

Brief Summary

A group of 50 age-schooled adolescents was randomized into one intervention and another control group of 25 subjects each. After estimating one maximum repetition for all the participants in a previous session, the intervention group performed a resistance training based on a resistance exercise of 3 sets of 3 to 5 repetitions (90% of an estimated 1 RM) whereas the control group performed both stretching and balance exercises. Measures of executive functions ( i.e. a cognitive function associated with academic performance) were taken for all the participants before and after the training. Both independent and paired t-test will serve to check differences between and within groups respectively.

Detailed Description

A group of 50 age-schooled adolescents was randomized into one intervention and another control group of 25 subjects each. After estimating one maximum repetition for all the participants in a previous session, the intervention group performed a resistance training based on a resistance exercise of 3 sets of 3 to 5 repetitions (90% of an estimated 1 RM) whereas the control group performed both stretching and balance exercises. Measures of executive functions ( i.e. a cognitive function associated with academic performance) were taken for all the participants before and after the training. Both independent and paired t-test will serve to check differences between and within groups respectively. The selected resistance exercise is based on a global muscle involvement.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2020-07-18
• Study First Submitted QC: 2020-07-22
• Study First Posted: 2020-07-28
• Study Start: 2020-09-01
• Status Verified: 2020-11
• Primary Completion: 2020-11-06
• Last Update Submitted: 2020-11-08
• Last Update Posted: 2020-11-10
• Study Completion: 2021-01-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 50

Inclusion Criteria

• Healthy age-schooled adolescent

Exclusion Criteria

• Not healthy, injured age-schooled adolescent

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Strength Training	Strength training	The intervention group performs a resistance training based on a resistance exercise of 3 sets of 3 to 5 repetitions (90% of an estimated 1 RM) and 3 minutes of resting time between sets.
Stretching	Stretch and balance training	The control group performs 3 exercises of stretching and balance during one minute each and three sets. One minute of resting time between sets.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Time to successfully complete the executive function test	up to 24 weeks	Executive function

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Zaragoza; 🇪🇸 Zaragoza, Aragón, Spain