Dietary Fat Quality, Metabolic Health, Cognitive Function, and Responses to Standardized Moderate-Intensity Exercise in Young Adults
University of Wisconsin, River Falls
Summary
Regular physical activity, healthy dietary habits, and good metabolic health are associated with numerous physical and cognitive health benefits. However, individuals vary substantially in their affective, motivational, and cognitive responses to exercise, and the factors contributing to this variability are not fully understood. This prospective observational study will examine whether habitual dietary fat quality and metabolic health are associated with exercise responses, cognitive function, and academic-related outcomes in healthy young adults. Participants will complete assessments of dietary intake, body composition, metabolic health, aerobic fitness, cognitive function, and academic engagement. They will also complete a standardized moderate-intensity cycling session during which affective responses, exercise enjoyment, subjective energy, and motivation for future physical activity will be assessed. The findings will improve understanding of how habitual dietary habits and metabolic health may influence responses to exercise and cognitive functioning and may help inform future lifestyle recommendations aimed at promoting physical activity participation, cognitive performance, and overall health.
Description
Regular physical activity and healthy dietary patterns contribute to the prevention of chronic disease and support cognitive and psychological well-being. Nevertheless, individuals differ considerably in their responses to exercise, including perceived enjoyment, affective responses, motivation to continue exercising, and cognitive performance. These individual differences may influence long-term physical activity participation and adherence, yet the biological and lifestyle factors underlying this variability remain incompletely understood. Habitual dietary fat quality and metabolic health h…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 years or older. * Able to provide written informed consent. * Able and willing to complete two laboratory visits, dietary recording, cognitive assessments, and exercise testing. * Able to safely complete submaximal exercise testing and a 30-minute moderate-intensity cycling session, as determined by health-history screening and the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire Plus (PAR-Q+). * Willing to complete dietary records and follow pre-visit instructions. Exclusion Criteria: * Known cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, neurological, psychiatric, or other me…
Interventions
- BehavioralStandardized Moderate-Intensity Cycling Session
Participants will complete a standardized 30-minute moderate-intensity cycling session on an electronically braked cycle ergometer. Exercise intensity will be prescribed at approximately 50-60% heart rate reserve (Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion 11-13). Heart rate, perceived exertion, affective responses, exercise enjoyment, subjective energy, and motivation will be assessed before, during, immediately after, and following exercise. The cycling session is conducted as a standardized assessment procedure for all participants and is not assigned as an experimental intervention.
Location
- University of Wisconsin-River FallsRiver Falls, Wisconsin