Effects of Square-stepping Exercise Training on the Attention, Dynamic Balance and Lower Extremity Motor Coordination

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Sedentary Healthy Young Individuals

• Registration Number: NCT04804475
• Lead Sponsor: Pamukkale University

Brief Summary

Physical activity plays an indispensable role to lead a healthy life. Square-stepping exercises (SSE) are aerobic exercises. Our study was designed to investigate the effects of square-stepping exercise training on the attention, dynamic balance and lower extremity motor coordination of sedentary healthy young individuals.

A total of 112 volunteers within the age range of 20-25 participated in the research. Participants were randomly divided into two groups, as 56 participants were study group (28 females, 28 males) and 56 participants were control group (28 females, 28 males). Demographic data and exercise habit of the individuals were documented. Stroop Test was used to assess Attention, Four-step Square Test was used to assess Dynamic Balance and Lower-extremity Motor Coordination Test was used to assess Motor Coordination. Throughout 3 weeks SSE training was administered 4 days a week for a length of 45 minutes in each session. All the analyses were conducted at the start and at the end of 3-week long training.

Detailed Description

Demographic data and exercise habit of the individuals were documented. Stroop Test: The Stroop test measures cognitive functions such as cognitive flexibility, attention, inhibition, and reaction time. The test is administered by asking participants to name the colors of words written in different colors; they must focus on the colors of the words, not their meanings. Research has shown that age significantly affects processing speed and reaction time, especially in children aged 5-15 and adults aged 20-82.

Four-step Square Test: The subject is required to sequentially step over four canes set-up in a cross configuration on the ground. At the start of the test, the subject stands in Square 1 facing Square 2. The aim is to step as fast as possible into each square with both feet in the following sequence: Square 2, 3, 4, 1, 4, 3, 2, 1 (clockwise to counterclockwise).

Lower-extremity Motor Coordination Test was developed as an easy, yet effective tool to clinically assess, measure, and evaluate the deficits in Lower Limb Motor Coordination

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2019-09-10
• Primary Completion: 2020-09-10
• Study Completion: 2020-09-10
• Status Verified: 2021-03
• Study First Submitted: 2021-03-16
• Study First Submitted QC: 2021-03-16
• Study First Posted: 2021-03-18
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-06-02
• Last Update Posted: 2025-06-03

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 112

Inclusion Criteria

• Being within the age range of 20-25,
• Not continuing any exercise program for the last 1 year,
• Not having any disease impacting neurological, orthopedic or lower extremity system,
• Not having surgery history on lower extremity,
• Not having visual and hearing problem.

Exclusion Criteria

• Having visual and hearing problem,
• Neurological problem debilitating one's walking,
• Having psychiatric or orthopedic problem
• Having surgery history on lower extremity.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Attention Assessment (Stroop test)	3 weeks	The Stroop test measures cognitive functions such as cognitive flexibility, attention, inhibition, and reaction time. The test is administered by asking participants to name the colors of words written in different colors; they must focus on the colors of the words, not their meanings.
Dynamic Balance Assessment (Four-step Square Test)	3 weeks	The subject is required to sequentially step over four canes set-up in a cross configuration on the ground.; At the start of the test, the subject stands in Square 1 facing Square 2. The aim is to step as fast as possible into each square with both feet in the following sequence: Square 2, 3, 4, 1, 4, 3, 2, 1 (clockwise to counterclockwise)
Motor Coordination Assessment (Lower extremity Motor Coordination Test)	3 weeks	This test is completed with the patient sitting.There are two red targets on a sheet, 6 cm in diameter each, which are placed 30 apart in a vertical direction. The patient, sitting in a comfortable position with their knees flexed at 90 degrees and their heels on the proximal target, is asked to alternately move their leg back and forth to accurately touch the red target with their big toe. They must do this as quick as they can, and as many times as they can, in 20 seconds.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Pamukkale University; 🇹🇷 Denizli, Turkey