Brain-Physical Optimization Conditioning

Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR)

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Physical Performance

Treatments: Behavioral: B-POC high load intervention; Behavioral: B-POC low load intervention

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other U.S. Federal agency

Identifiers

NCT04863469

2751

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full 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).

Enrollment: 66 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 40 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy active duty Soldiers
• 18-40 years old
• Available for study duration

Exclusion criteria

• Failure of an Army Physical Fitness/Combat Test (APFT/ACFT) test
• On a physical profile that prevents them from 1) engaging in intense aerobic exercise, 2) running on a treadmill, 3) riding the stationary bike, and 4) performing a cognitive task on a computer screen.
• Medically non-deployable
• Impaired cognitive function due to medication, injury or illness,
• Have been advised by a medical professional not to engage in aerobic exercise
• Are a pregnant female

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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66 participants in 2 patient groups

B-POC high load Intervention

Experimental group

Description:

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

Treatment:

Behavioral: B-POC high load intervention

B-POC low load intervention

Sham Comparator group

Description:

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

Treatment:

Behavioral: B-POC low load intervention