Effects of a Complex, Partnered Martial Arts-based Intervention on Cognitive Function

Summary

The investigators' study is designed to test whether brief exposure to a martial arts-based intervention (a coordinative, partnered training exercise known as "Hubod"), can improve cognitive function to a greater degree than aerobic exercise of a similar intensity.

Conditions

• Cognitive Change
• Processing, Visual Spatial
• Inhibition (Psychology)
• Working Memory

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

HUBOD

Participants in the intervention group will attend 5 separate training sessions instructing them in Hubod. The Hubod exercise is a partnered coordination drill involving moves derived from numerous martial arts, most often seen in the Filipino martial art of Kali. Participants will aim to reach a level of comfort and competency in the basic, non-competitive aspects of the Hubod exercise by the end of their participation in this intervention.

BEHAVIORAL

Active Comparator

Participants in the active comparator group will attend 5 separate training sessions. Each session will involve a 5 minute warmup of joint mobilization exercises and mild pedaling on the bicycle before the main effort of continuously using the bicycle for approximately 20 minutes. The session finishes with a 5 minute cooldown period and light stretch. Heartrate will be monitored regularly in order to prevent this exercise exceeding the relative intensity of the Martial Arts intervention group. Participants will be allowed to talk and interact with research assistants in order to keep socialization effects consistent across groups.

BEHAVIORAL

Control Condition

Participants in this group will attend 5 separate training sessions. Each session will involve watching educational videos on martial arts techniques and training methods from a sedentary position. Participants will be allowed to talk and interact with research assistants in order to keep socialization effects consistent across groups.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Sean P Mullen, PhD · University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

45 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-03-24

Primary Completion

2021-12-15

Completion

2021-12-15

Countries

• United States

Study Locations