The Environment's Impact on Thinking When Added to Leg Cycling in People With TBI: VITAL

The Effects of a Single Bout of Moderate Intensity Aerobic Exercise Combined With Different Environments on Executive Function and Processing Speed in Individuals With TBI

Aerobic exercise is a promising treatment modality for cognition in persons with TBI, but effects are consistently small. This study aims to investigate the effect of difference environments during moderate intensity cycling sessions on cognition.

The proposed research study would be the first to investigate the acute effects of aerobic exercise with different environments relative to control and comparison conditions on several domains of cognition in people with TBI. This critical investigation will be a first step toward systematically identifying an optimal exercise training intervention for managing common cognitive consequences of TBI.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Be at least 18 years of age and younger than 59 years of age
• Speak English as their primary language
• Have had a previous TBI at least one year prior\

Exclusion Criteria:

• Have contraindications to moderate or high intensity physical activity, based on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q)
• Have a history of psychiatric illness (ex: major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia), neurological disorders beyond TBI (ex: stroke, seizure disorder), or substance abuse
• Currently use medications that might impact cognition (ex: steroids, benzodiazepines, neuroleptics)
• Be currently pregnant
• Have visual impairments not otherwise corrected by contact lenses (ex: stereo blindness, colorblindness)
• Have a high likelihood of motion sickness