The Effect of Duration and Frequency of Walking Exercise on Cognitive Functions

Gazi University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Healthy Participants; Cognitive Function and Well-Being; Walking

Treatments: Behavioral: Long-Duration Walking Exercise; Behavioral: Short-Duration Walking Exercise

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07119684

cognitiveshamelGazi

Details and patient eligibility

About

Physical activity is very important for staying healthy and improving how well our brain works. Walking is a simple and easy way to exercise that can help people of all ages feel better physically and mentally. It's affordable, easy to do, and doesn't require special equipment. Walking can improve memory, thinking speed, and problem-solving skills, which are important for everyday life.

This study looks at whether doing shorter walks more often (like three 10-minute walks a day) is as good for the brain as doing one longer walk (one 30-minute walk a day). This is important because many people find it hard to fit long exercise sessions into their day due to busy schedules, health issues, or personal preferences.

By understanding which way of walking helps the brain the most, doctors and patients can choose exercise plans that are easier to stick to and still improve thinking skills. This study will compare these two walking routines over 6 weeks to see how they affect brain health.

This clinical trial investigates the cognitive effects of two different walking exercise protocols over a 6-week period. Participants will either complete three daily 10-minute walking sessions or a single continuous 30-minute walking session. The study aims to determine whether shorter, more frequent exercise sessions provide cognitive benefits comparable to a longer, single session. Outcomes will focus on improvements in memory, processing speed, and executive function. Findings will inform recommendations for accessible and flexible exercise programs to enhance cognitive health.

Enrollment: 35 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 25 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Female

Aged between 18 and 25 years

Sedentary lifestyle, defined as taking <5000 steps/day in the previous week

Non-smoker

Having a work or school schedule that allows consistent participation in the 6-week walking program

Able to walk on a treadmill

Provided written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m²

Participation in another regular exercise program during the study period

Neurological conditions (e.g., stroke, epilepsy)

Severe cardiovascular conditions (e.g., heart failure, arrhythmias)

Any physical limitation that prevents safe walking on a treadmill

Pregnancy

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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35 participants in 2 patient groups

Short-Duration Walking Group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants walked 3 sessions of 10 minutes per day, five days a week for 6 weeks, at 60% of their maximum heart rate.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Short-Duration Walking Exercise

Long-Duration Walking Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants walked 1 continuous 30-minute session per day, five days a week for 6 weeks, at 60% of their maximum heart rate.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Long-Duration Walking Exercise