Primary Experimental Dataset on the State-Dependent Effects of Acute Aerobic Exercise Timing on Processing Speed Dynamics and Episodic Memory Processing in Young Adults
Description
This repository contains raw, de-identified experimental data from an three-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial investigating the state-dependent and phase-specific effects of a single 15-minute bout of moderate-intensity continuous aerobic exercise (70% HRmax) on cognitive processing speed dynamics and verbal episodic memory performance in healthy young adults (N=105; n=35 per group). Experimental Design & Procedural Timeline (Figure 1): All eligible participants (N=105) underwent pre-enrollment screening, anthropometric profiling (height, weight, BMI), and baseline cardiovascular recording [resting heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP)] in the Department of Physiology, New Delhi, India. Baseline cognitive processing speed (PS1) was established using the computer-based Symbol Search Test (SST). Participants were randomly allocated using a sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed-envelope system into three experimental cohorts (n=35 per group) (Figure_1): 1. Group A (Pre-Encoding Exercise): Performed a 15-minute bout of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (70% HRmax) immediately prior to verbal list learning/encoding. 2. Group B (Consolidation Exercise): Performed a 15-minute bout of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise during the post-encoding 15-minute memory consolidation break. 3. Group C (Continuous Rest Control): Maintained continuous seated rest throughout the intervention windows without any exercise stimulus. Equipment & Software: 1. Stationary cycle ergometer (SPORTOP B890P) equipped with integrated pulse oximetry for dynamic HR tracking. 2. Calibrated digital sphygmomanometers for BP monitoring. 3. Computerized cognitive testing administered via Inquisit 6 software (Millisecond, USA). Repository File Structure & Data Formatting: The dataset is packaged into separate, structured spreadsheet files corresponding to each experimental arm: 1. Dataset_Group_A.xlsx (35 rows × 44 columns): Contains complete demographic, baseline cardiovascular, dynamic exercise physiological monitoring in-exercise affective ratings (SFS and FAS measured at 3-min intervals), and time-course cognitive scores (PS1, PS2, PS3, and LLT memory metrics). 2. Dataset_Group_B.xlsx (35 rows × 44 columns): Structured identically to Group A. 3. Dataset_Group_C.xlsx (35 rows × 21 columns): Contains baseline demographics, resting cardiovascular measures, and time-course cognitive scores (PS1, PS2, PS3, and LLT memory metrics). Because participants in Group C remained at rest throughout the protocol without engaging in exercise intervention, all exercise-specific variables are absent (NA). 4. Data_Dictionary.pdf: Comprehensive metadata codebook defining every column name, variable label, unit of measurement, and coding structure across all spreadsheets. 5. Figure1_Study_Design.png: Flowchart image of experimental study design.