Effects of Short Physical Activity Breaks on Thinking Skills After University Lectures in Undergraduate Students

Acute Cognitive Effects of Brief Physical Activity Breaks After Lecture-Based Academic Activity in Undergraduate University Students: A Randomized Crossover Study

The goal of this randomized crossover study is to evaluate whether brief Physical Activity Breaks (PABs), implemented immediately after lecture-based academic activity, can improve attentional processing and executive functioning in undergraduate university students. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Do OPAB or PABEx improve attentional and executive performance compared to a no-break control condition (NPAB)? Does PABEx provide superior cognitive benefits compared to OPAB?

Researchers will compare:

OPAB (a standardized 10-minute outdoor walking protocol) PABEx (a 10-minute exergame-based break using Fruit Ninja Kinect)

to see if these interventions improve cognitive performance compared to NPAB (supervised passive seated rest), and whether significant differences in cognitive outcomes emerge between OPAB and PABEx.

Participants will:

Complete cognitive assessments (Trail Making Test A-B and Stroop Color-Word Test) immediately after each condition.

Be randomly assigned, in counterbalanced order, to all three conditions across three consecutive weeks separated by a 7-day washout interval.

Engage in a 10-minute structured break (OPAB or PABEx) or passive rest (NPAB) following two consecutive hours of seated university lectures, including:

Warm-up (2 minutes): low-intensity dynamic movements. Main session (6 minutes): light-to-moderate outdoor walking (OPAB) or Fruit Ninja Kinect exergaming (PABEx).

Cool-down (2 minutes): relaxation and gentle stretching exercises.

This study will provide insights into the efficacy of brief active breaks as a pragmatic strategy to enhance cognitive efficiency in university students during academically demanding periods.

Inclusion Criteria:

• enrolled full-time
• 18-35 years old at the time of data collection
• physically able to stand and perform brief bouts of physical activity safely

Exclusion Criteria:

• musculoskeletal disorders
• current or recent lower-limb injuries
• acute or chronic medical conditions that could limit safe participation in light-to-moderate physical activity
• unable to comply with the study protocol