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Overweight and/or ObesityPSYCOG-HIIENCT07276308

Psychophysiological and Cognitive Responses to Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Exercise in Overweight-to-Obese Adults

A study testing Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Exercise (Lv-HIIE) in people with Overweight and/or Obesity and Overweight and Obese Adults, run by Universiti Sains Malaysia at 1 site in Malaysia.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This study aims to explore how stress-related hormones and psychological traits influence people's feelings and perceptions during a short and intense form of exercise called low-volume high-intensity interval exercise (Lv-HIIE). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 20 to 35 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
What is being tested?
Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Exercise (Lv-HIIE)
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
32 participants
Where
1 siteMalaysia
Study dates
1 Mar 2023to 1 Sep 2023
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 20 to 35 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Male and female between the ages of 20-35 years old
  • BMI of 23 kg.m² to 30 kg.m2
  • Medically fit to exercise.
  • Physically inactive individuals (do not achieve 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise/PA for a week).

Who cannot join

  • smokers.
  • free from any metabolic diseases such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and hyperglycaemia.
  • not using any medication or substance known to influence cardiorespiratory or metabolic responses to exercise
  • previously participated in a specific training program within the past 6 months before the exercise interventions.
  • contraindications to exercise based on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) such as musculoskeletal injuries.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Malaysia1 site
  • Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, Complex sports center

    Kota Bharu, Kelantan, 16150

Other trials in Malaysia

About this study

Official title: The Roles of Psychophysiological Stress and Cognitive Markers on Perceptual Responses During Low-volume High-intensity Interval Exercise in Overweight-to-obese Adults

This study aims to explore how stress-related hormones and psychological traits influence people's feelings and perceptions during a short and intense form of exercise called low-volume high-intensity interval exercise (Lv-HIIE). Adults with overweight or obesity participated in a supervised 10-week cycling program consisting of repeated one-minute high-intensity efforts separated by short recovery periods.

The research examines how psychophysiological stress markers (such as cortisol and ACTH), cognitive traits (such as goal orientation and hardiness), and perceptual responses (such as exertion, mood, and enjoyment) change over time. Findings from this study may help develop exercise programs that are more enjoyable, sustainable, and personalized for individuals with higher body-mass categories.

Being tested
Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Exercise (Lv-HIIE)
Keywords
Exercise, Psychophysiological Stress, Cognitive traits, Affective Responses, High-Intensity Interval Exercise, Perceptual Responses
Medical subject headings
Overweight, Motor Activity

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Exercise (Lv-HIIE)Behavioural

    Also called Lv-HIIE Training, Low-Volume HIIE, High-Intensity Interval Exercise Program

    The intervention consists of a supervised low-volume high-intensity interval exercise (Lv-HIIE) program performed on a cycle ergometer. Each session includes 6-10 intervals of 1 minute at 90% of maximal aerobic speed, interspersed with 75-second active recovery periods. Participants will train three times per week for 10 weeks under laboratory supervision. Each session begins with a standardized 5-minute warm-up and ends with a 5-minute cool-down. The program is designed to investigate changes in psychophysiological stress (ACTH, cortisol), cognitive markers (goal orientation, hardiness), and perceptual responses (affective valence, perceived exertion, enjoyment) across repeated exercise exposures in overweight-to-obese adults.

Study groups in NCT07276308
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Exercise (Lv-HIIE)ExperimentalParticipants will perform a low-volume high-intensity interval exercise (Lv-HIIE) program consisting of 6-10 cycling intervals at 90% of maximal aerobic speed, interspersed with 75-second active recovery periods. The intervention will be conducted three times per week for 10 weeks under supervised laboratory conditions. Each session will include standardized warm-up and cool-down phases. The study aims to evaluate psychophysiological stress, cognitive markers, and perceptual responses across repeated exercise sessions in overweight-to-obese adults.
Receives: Behavioral: Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Exercise (Lv-HIIE)

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Outcome Measure: Height

    Standing height will be measured using a stadiometer with participants barefoot and standing in the anatomical position. The value used for analysis will be the height recorded at baseline (Session 1).Unit of Measure: centimeters (cm)

    Measured: Baseline only (Session 1)

  2. Outcome Measure: Body Weight

    Body weight will be measured using a calibrated digital scale with participants wearing light clothing and no shoes. The value used for analysis will be the body weight recorded at baseline (Session 1).Unit of Measure: kilograms (kg)

    Measured: Session 1 (Week 0), Session 15 (Week 5), Session 30 (Week 10)

  3. Outcome Measure: Body Mass Index (BMI)

    BMI will be calculated using height and weight measured at baseline, using the formula BMI = weight (kg) / height (m²). The final reported value will be the BMI calculated at Session 1.Unit of Measure: kg/m²

    Measured: Session 1 (Week 0), Session 15 (Week 5), Session 30 (Week 10)

  4. Change in Affective Valence During Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Exercise

    Affective valence is assessed using the Feeling Scale (range -5 to +5) during each low-volume high-intensity interval exercise (Lv-HIIE) session, which consists of 6-10 cycles of 60 s shuttle running and 75 s active recovery. Affective valence is measured 5 minutes before exercise, 20 seconds before the end of warm-up, immediately after each 60-second work interval, and after cool-down during Sessions 1, 15, and 30. The reported value will be the mean change in Feeling Scale score from Session 1 to Session 30, with Session 15 serving as a mid-intervention reference time point.Feeling Scale score (-5 to +5)

    Measured: Measured at every training session (Sessions 1-30) over 10 weeks; primary analysis compares Sessions 1, 15, and 30

  5. Change in Felt Arousal During Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Exercise

    Felt arousal is assessed using the Felt Arousal Scale (range 1 to 6) during Lv-HIIE sessions (6-10 cycles of 60 s work + 75 s active recovery). Felt arousal is measured 5 minutes before exercise, 20 seconds before the end of warm-up, immediately after each 60-second work interval, and after cool-down during Sessions 1, 15, and 30. The reported value will be the mean change in Felt Arousal Scale score from Session 1 to Session 30, with Session 15 as a mid-intervention reference.Felt Arousal Scale score (1-6)

    Measured: Measured at every training session (Sessions 1-30) over 10 weeks; primary analysis compares Sessions 1, 15, and 30

  6. Change in Rating of Perceived Exertion During Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Exercise

    Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) is measured using the Borg 6-20 scale during Lv-HIIE sessions (6-10 cycles of 60 s work + 75 s active recovery). RPE is recorded 5 minutes before exercise, 20 seconds before the end of warm-up, immediately after each 60-second work interval, and after cool-down during Sessions 1, 15, and 30. The reported value will be the mean change in RPE from Session 1 to Session 30, with Session 15 as a mid-intervention reference point.Borg RPE score (6-20)

    Measured: Measured at every training session (Sessions 1-30) over 10 weeks; primary analysis compares Sessions 1, 15, and 30

  7. Change in Perceived Recovery During Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Exercise

    Perceived recovery is assessed using the Perceived Recovery Scale (range 0 to 10) during Lv-HIIE sessions. It is measured immediately after each 75-second active recovery interval in every cycle during Sessions 1, 15, and 30. The reported value will be the mean change in Perceived Recovery Scale score from Session 1 to Session 30, with Session 15 as a mid-intervention reference.Perceived Recovery Scale score (0-10)

    Measured: Measured at every training session (Sessions 1-30) over 10 weeks; primary analysis compares Sessions 1, 15, and 30

  8. Change in Exercise Enjoyment During Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Exercise

    Exercise enjoyment is assessed using a validated enjoyment scale (range 1 to 7) at the end of the Lv-HIIE session. Enjoyment is measured once at the end of Sessions 1, 15, and 30. The reported value will be the change in enjoyment score from Session 1 to Session 30, with Session 15 as a mid-intervention reference.Enjoyment scale score (total 126 scores)

    Measured: Measured at the end of Sessions 1, 15, and 30 over 10 weeks

  9. Change in Heart Rate During Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Exercise

    Heart rate is measured continuously and summarized at specific time points (5 minutes before exercise, 20 seconds before the end of warm-up, immediately after each 60-second work interval, and after cool-down) during Lv-HIIE sessions (6-10 cycles of 60 s work + 75 s active recovery). Heart rate is recorded during Sessions 1, 15, and 30. The reported value will be the mean change in heart rate (beats per minute) from Session 1 to Session 30, with Session 15 as a mid-intervention reference.Beats per minute (bpm)

    Measured: Measured at every training session (Sessions 1-30) over 10 weeks; primary analysis compares Sessions 1, 15, and 30

  10. Change in Heart Rate Recovery During Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Exercise

    Heart rate recovery is assessed as heart rate measured immediately after each 75-second active recovery interval during Lv-HIIE sessions. Heart rate recovery is recorded for all cycles in Sessions 1, 15, and 30. The reported value will be the mean change in heart rate recovery (beats per minute during recovery periods) from Session 1 to Session 30, with Session 15 as a mid-intervention reference.Beats per minute (bpm)

    Measured: Measured at every training session (Sessions 1-30) over 10 weeks; primary analysis compares Sessions 1, 15, and 30

  11. Psychophysiological Stress (Blood Biomarkers)

    Psychophysiological stress will be assessed using venous blood biomarkers. Blood samples will be collected at three predefined assessment days during the 10-week intervention: Day 1 (Week 1, baseline), Day 15 (Week 5), and Day 30 (Week 10, final assessment).

    At each assessment day, venous blood will be drawn at three standardized time points:

    Immediately before exercise (pre-exercise) Immediately after exercise (0 minutes post-exercise) 30 minutes post-exercise This results in nine total blood draws per participant. Biomarkers include cortisol, ACTH, and related stress markers. Changes will be compared across these assessment days.Concentration (pg/mL or ng/mL)

    Measured: Day 1 (Week 1, baseline), Day 15 (Week 5), and Day 30 (Week 10, final assessment), with samples collected pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 30 minutes post-exercise

  12. Goal Orientation in Exercise Measure (GOEM) Total Score

    Goal orientation will be assessed using the Goal Orientation in Exercise Measure (GOEM), a validated 10-item questionnaire scored on a 5-point Likert scale (1-5). Item scores are summed to produce a total GOEM score ranging from 0 to 50. The questionnaire is completed once at baseline, before the first training session, to characterize individual differences in goal-orientation tendencies that may influence perceptual and physiological responses during the intervention. The reported value will be the total GOEM score.Score range 0-50

    Measured: Baseline (Day 1, before the first training session)

  13. Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CDRS) Total Score

    Psychological resilience will be assessed using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CDRS), a validated resilience questionnaire producing a total score ranging from 0 to 100. The scale is administered once at baseline, prior to the first training session, to evaluate individual differences in resilience traits that may influence perceptual and physiological responses during the intervention. The reported value will be the total CDRS score.Score range 0-100

    Measured: Baseline (Day 1, before the first training session)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted11 Dec 2025
  2. Study start1 Mar 2023
  3. Primary completion20 Aug 2023
  4. Study completion1 Sep 2023

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Basic science
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
32 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07276308
Sponsor's protocol ID
USM/JEPeM/22080549
Other IDs
FRGS/1/2022/SKK06/USM/03/5
Acronym
PSYCOG-HIIE
Status last verified
Dec 2025
First submitted
14 Nov 2025
Last updated
11 Dec 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Exercise (Lv-HIIE) in people with Overweight and/or Obesity and Overweight and Obese Adults, run by Universiti Sains Malaysia at 1 site in Malaysia.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 11 Dec 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Malaysia. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Outcome Measure: Height (time frame: Baseline only (Session 1)). The study lists 13 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 11 Dec 2025.

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