Executive FunctionSWIMCOGNCT07670104
Acute Effects of Moderate-Intensity Swimming Exercise on Inhibitory Control, Cognitive Flexibility, and Selective Attention
A study testing Moderate-Intensity Freestyle Swimming Exercise in people with Executive Function and Cognitive Performance, run by Görkem Açar at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the acute effects of a single session of moderate-intensity freestyle swimming exercise on cognitive performance in healthy young adults. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Executive Function, Cognitive Performance, Selective Attention
- What is being tested?
- Moderate-Intensity Freestyle Swimming Exercise
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 May 2026to 30 May 2026
- 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 18 to 35 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Healthy adults aged 18 to 35 years.
- Normal or corrected-to-normal vision.
- Right-handed as determined by the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory.
- No history of neurological, psychiatric, or cardiovascular disorders.
- Engaging in structured exercise fewer than three times per week.
- Ability to safely participate in moderate-intensity swimming exercise.
- Provision of written informed consent.
Who cannot join
- Use of medications that may affect cognitive performance.
- Active musculoskeletal injury or pain limiting participation in exercise.
- Previous experience with the Eriksen Flanker Task or Stroop Color-Word Test.
- Contraindications to swimming exercise.
- Participation in vigorous physical activity within 24 hours before testing.
- Any medical condition considered unsafe for exercise participation by the investigators.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Istanbul Rumeli University, Faculty of Sport Sciences
Istanbul, Istanbul, 34290
About this study
Official title: Acute Effects of Moderate-Intensity Freestyle Swimming Exercise on Inhibitory Control, Cognitive Flexibility, and Selective Attention: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the acute effects of a single session of moderate-intensity freestyle swimming exercise on cognitive performance in healthy young adults. Cognitive functions such as inhibitory control, selective attention, and cognitive flexibility are essential components of executive functioning and play an important role in academic, occupational, and daily activities.
A total of 60 healthy adults aged 18-35 years will be randomly assigned to either an exercise group or a control group. Participants in the exercise group will complete a 30-minute session of moderate-intensity freestyle swimming, while participants in the control group will undergo passive seated rest for the same duration.
Read more
Cognitive performance will be evaluated immediately before and after the intervention using the Eriksen Flanker Task and the Stroop Color-Word Test. These assessments measure reaction time, attention control, information processing speed, and inhibitory control.
The study is designed to determine whether a single bout of swimming exercise can produce immediate improvements in executive functions compared with passive rest. Findings from this research may contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between aerobic exercise and cognitive performance and may help inform exercise-based strategies for enhancing cognitive health and performance in healthy individuals.
- Being tested
- Moderate-Intensity Freestyle Swimming Exercise
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Moderate-Intensity Freestyle Swimming ExerciseBehavioural
A single session of moderate-intensity freestyle swimming lasting 30 minutes. The protocol consisted of a 5-minute warm-up, 20 minutes of continuous freestyle swimming performed at approximately 60-70% of age-predicted maximum heart rate, and a 5-minute cool-down. Exercise intensity was monitored using ratings of perceived exertion and heart rate measurements.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental Group | Experimental | Participants assigned to the experimental group completed a single 30-minute session of moderate-intensity freestyle swimming exercise. The exercise protocol included a 5-minute warm-up, 20 minutes of continuous swimming at moderate intensity (approximately 60-70% of age-predicted maximum heart rate), and a 5-minute cool-down period. Receives: Behavioral: Moderate-Intensity Freestyle Swimming Exercise |
| Control Group | No intervention | Participants assigned to the control group remained seated at rest for 30 minutes in a quiet environment. During this period, participants were instructed to avoid physical activity and cognitive stimulation. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Congruent Flanker Task Reaction Time
Mean reaction time during congruent trials of the Eriksen Flanker Task.
Measured: Immediately before and immediately after the 30-minute intervention session
Incongruent Flanker Task Reaction Time
Mean reaction time during incongruent trials of the Eriksen Flanker Task.
Measured: Immediately before and immediately after the 30-minute intervention session
Stroop Test Completion Time
Total completion time across the Stroop Color-Word Test (TBAG Form), assessing inhibitory control, selective attention, and cognitive flexibility.
Measured: Immediately before and immediately after the 30-minute intervention session
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted26 Jun 2026
- Study start1 May 2026
- Primary completion30 May 2026
- Study completion30 May 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Executive FunctionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either a moderate-intensity freestyle swimming exercise group or a passive rest control group. Both groups completed pre- and post-intervention cognitive assessments, and outcomes were compared between groups.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Görkem Açar
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Görkem Açar, Istanbul Gelisim University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07670104
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IRU-2026
- Acronym
- SWIMCOG
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 19 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 26 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 26 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Acute Effects of Moderate-Intensity Freestyle Swimming Exercise on Inhibitory Control, Cognitive Flexibility, and Selective Attention: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07670104
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- SWIMCOG / IRU-2026
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Görkem AçarUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 May 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 May 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 May 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 26 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the acute effects of a single session of moderate-intensity freestyle swimming exercise on cognitive performance in healthy young adults. Cognitive functions such as inhibitory control, selective attention, and cognitive flexibility are essential components of executive functioning and play an important role in academic, occupational, and daily activities.
A total of 60 healthy adults aged 18-35 years will be randomly assigned to either an exercise group or a control group. Participants in the exercise group will complete a 30-minute session of moderate-intensity freestyle swimming, while participants in the control group will undergo passive seated rest for the same duration.
Cognitive performance will be evaluated immediately before and after the intervention using the Eriksen Flanker Task and the Stroop Color-Word Test. These assessments measure reaction time, attention control, information processing speed, and inhibitory control.
The study is designed to determine whether a single bout of swimming exercise can produce immediate improvements in executive functions compared with passive rest. Findings from this research may contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between aerobic exercise and cognitive performance and may help inform exercise-based strategies for enhancing cognitive health and performance in healthy individuals.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either a moderate-intensity freestyle swimming exercise group or a passive rest control group. Both groups completed pre- and post-intervention cognitive assessments, and outcomes were compared between groups.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Moderate-Intensity Freestyle Swimming ExerciseParticipants assigned to the experimental group completed a single 30-minute session of moderate-intensity freestyle swimming exercise. The exercise protocol included a 5-minute warm-up, 20 minutes of continuous swimming at moderate intensity (approximately 60-70% of age-predicted maximum heart rate), and a 5-minute cool-down period. |
| Control Group | No intervention | –Participants assigned to the control group remained seated at rest for 30 minutes in a quiet environment. During this period, participants were instructed to avoid physical activity and cognitive stimulation. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Healthy adults aged 18 to 35 years.
- Normal or corrected-to-normal vision.
- Right-handed as determined by the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory.
- No history of neurological, psychiatric, or cardiovascular disorders.
- Engaging in structured exercise fewer than three times per week.
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Use of medications that may affect cognitive performance.
- Active musculoskeletal injury or pain limiting participation in exercise.
- Previous experience with the Eriksen Flanker Task or Stroop Color-Word Test.
- Contraindications to swimming exercise.
- Participation in vigorous physical activity within 24 hours before testing.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate-Intensity Freestyle Swimming ExerciseA single session of moderate-intensity freestyle swimming lasting 30 minutes. The protocol consisted of a 5-minute warm-up, 20 minutes of continuous freestyle swimming performed at approximately 60-70% of age-predicted maximum heart rate, and a 5-minute cool-down. Exercise intensity was monitored using ratings of perceived exertion and heart rate measurements. | Behavioural | Experimental Group |
Primary outcome
Congruent Flanker Task Reaction Time
Time frame: Immediately before and immediately after the 30-minute intervention session
Mean reaction time during congruent trials of the Eriksen Flanker Task.
Incongruent Flanker Task Reaction Time
Time frame: Immediately before and immediately after the 30-minute intervention session
Mean reaction time during incongruent trials of the Eriksen Flanker Task.
Stroop Test Completion Time
Time frame: Immediately before and immediately after the 30-minute intervention session
Total completion time across the Stroop Color-Word Test (TBAG Form), assessing inhibitory control, selective attention, and cognitive flexibility.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 26 Jun 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Moderate-Intensity Freestyle Swimming Exercise in people with Executive Function and Cognitive Performance, run by Görkem Açar at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 7 inclusion and 6 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 26 Jun 2026. 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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?
Congruent Flanker Task Reaction Time (time frame: Immediately before and immediately after the 30-minute intervention session). The study lists 3 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 26 Jun 2026.