Reliability of a Cognitive Test Battery Pre and Post Maximal Cycling Exercise

• Grant number: 25/00793-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2025
• End date: February 28, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physical Education
• Principal Investigator: Bryan Saunders
• Grantee: Igor Koza
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/06836-0 - Placebo in sports and exercise: prevalence, conditioning and open-placebo, AP.JP2

Abstract

AbstractIntroduction: For studies to accurately measure the impact of interventions, the evaluative tools used must be precise and reliable. Although the literature offers a variety of cognitive assessment methods, not all are suitable for large-scale applications or present the necessary reliability for rigorous scientific studies. Objective: To assess the reliability and reproducibility of a battery of cognitive tests. Methods: In this study, a battery of tests will be used via the Inquisit software, consisting of the Stroop Colour Test, to assess selective attention; the Letter Memory Test, to assess short-term memory; and a Simple Reaction Time Test. Healthy male volunteers will be evaluated across three visits, with the battery of tests applied three times per visit (T1, T2, and T3). T1 will be applied upon the volunteer's arrival at the laboratory, T2 will be completed 45 minutes after the conclusion of T1, followed by a 1-km time trial performed on a cycle ergometer. T3 will be administered immediately after the physical activity. Statistical analysis will be conducted using RStudio software (Posit Software, United States) to identify intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). In this way, it is expected to determine whether this battery of tests demonstrates a high level of reliability and reproducibility.