B-POC Training for Physical Fitness

Overseen By Brad Fawver, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR)

Disqualifiers: Failed fitness test, Cognitive impairment, Pregnancy, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 18

Duration: 6 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to improve physical performance by focusing on both physical and mental endurance. Researchers are testing the effects of combining brain training with aerobic exercise on performance under stress. Participants will engage in treadmill workouts and cognitive tasks at either high or low intensity as part of the B-POC (Brain-Physical Optimization Conditioning) intervention. The trial seeks healthy active-duty soldiers capable of intense exercise and completing computer-based tasks. As an unphased trial, participants can contribute to innovative research that may enhance both physical and mental resilience.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if your medication impairs cognitive function, it might affect your eligibility.

What prior data suggests that this B-POC training is safe for enhancing physical performance?

Research shows that the B-POC high load program, which combines aerobic exercise with challenging mental tasks, is generally safe for participants. Studies have found that similar combinations of physical and mental activities can improve brain health without causing serious side effects.

The B-POC high load program includes treadmill exercise and a computer-based task, performed three times a week. This method aims to enhance both physical and mental stamina. Although specific data on side effects for this exact program is unavailable, past studies have shown that combining exercise and mental tasks is usually well-tolerated. Participants might experience typical workout fatigue, but no major negative effects have been reported.

For the B-POC low load program, which uses an easier mental task, safety can be inferred from the high load findings. Since this version is less intense, it is likely to be just as safe. Overall, both programs should be manageable for most people, with the main benefits being improved physical and mental performance. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores a novel method of combining physical and cognitive training to enhance physical fitness. Unlike traditional fitness programs that focus solely on aerobic exercise, this trial includes both high-load and low-load cognitive tasks alongside treadmill workouts. The innovative approach could not only improve physical fitness but also enhance cognitive function, offering a more holistic benefit. By integrating mental challenges with physical activity, researchers hope to discover a new way to maximize overall well-being.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for enhancing physical performance?

Research has shown that Brain-Physical Optimization Conditioning (B-POC) combines physical exercise with mental challenges to improve endurance and resistance to mental fatigue. This trial will compare two different B-POC interventions: the high load intervention and the low load intervention. Studies have found that performing mentally tiring tasks while exercising can boost physical endurance. This approach targets both physical and mental endurance, enhancing the body's and mind's performance under stress. Early results suggest that participants in this type of training may experience improvements in both physical performance and mental strength. This could be particularly beneficial for those seeking to enhance fitness while also building mental resilience. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for healthy active duty soldiers aged 18-40 who can participate for the entire study duration. It's not suitable for pregnant women, those who failed a fitness test, have physical limitations preventing intense exercise or cognitive tasks, impaired cognition from medication or illness, or were advised against aerobic exercise.

Inclusion Criteria

I am a healthy, active duty soldier.

Available for study duration

Exclusion Criteria

Have been advised by a medical professional not to engage in aerobic exercise

My thinking or memory is affected by medication, injury, or illness.

I cannot do intense workouts or tasks like running, biking, or computer work.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo aerobic exercise and a computerized task for 45 minutes, 3 times per week, for 6 weeks

6 weeks

18 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in performance and physiological measures after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• B-POC high load intervention
• B-POC low load intervention

Trial Overview The study tests Brain-Physical Optimization Conditioning (B-POC) with two levels of intensity: high load and low load interventions. B-POC combines physical endurance training with cognitive challenges to improve overall performance under stress.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: B-POC high load Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

aerobic exercise \[heartrate range (HRR) 70-75% of max HR, on treadmill\] and a computerized high-load task for 45 minutes, 3 times per week, for 6 weeks

Group II: B-POC low load intervention Placebo Group 1 Intervention

aerobic exercise \[heartrate range (HRR) 70-75% of max HR, on treadmill\] and a computerized low-load task for 45 minutes, 3 times per week, for 6 weeks

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR)

Lead Sponsor

Trials

111

Recruited

108,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study involving 22 professional football players, those who underwent brain endurance training (BET) alongside physical training showed significant improvements in both physical and cognitive performance compared to a control group that only received physical training.

The BET group demonstrated faster sprinting times and better agility, as well as improved cognitive responses, indicating that combining mental tasks with physical training can enhance overall athletic performance.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Brain Endurance Training Improves Physical, Cognitive, and Multitasking Performance in Professional Football Players. Staiano, W., Merlini, M., Romagnoli, M., et al.[2023]

Digital physical activity interventions significantly improve physical activity duration, functional capacity, and quality of life in breast cancer patients and survivors, based on a systematic review of 18 studies.

The meta-analysis revealed a strong effect size for total physical activity (SMD = 0.71) and moderate improvements in functional capacity (SMD = 0.38) and quality of life (SMD = 0.45), indicating these interventions are effective in enhancing overall well-being.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Digital Physical Activity Interventions for Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Kang, H., Moon, M.[2023]

Engaging in brain endurance training (BET) before physical training significantly improves endurance performance by 24%, compared to a 12% improvement with physical training alone, based on a study involving 24 participants over five weeks.

The enhanced performance from prior BET is associated with increased prefrontal oxygenation during exercise, suggesting that mental training can effectively boost physical endurance by optimizing brain function.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Prior brain endurance training improves endurance exercise performance. Dallaway, N., Lucas, S., Marks, J., et al.[2023]

Ultra-endurance athletes, who engage in over 1000 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week, show significantly increased overall brain volume, including both grey and white matter, compared to sedentary individuals who only engage in about 18 minutes of activity per week.

Despite the overall increase in brain volume, ultra-endurance athletes exhibit smaller regional grey matter volumes in specific areas such as the primary sensory and motor cortex, suggesting a complex relationship between extreme physical activity and brain structure that requires further investigation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Structural brain differences between ultra-endurance athletes and sedentary persons. Paruk, T., Rauch, L., Jankiewicz, M., et al.[2022]

Natural live-high train-low (LHTL) is currently the most effective protocol for improving endurance performance in both elite and subelite athletes, while certain artificial protocols also show benefits for subelite athletes.

The study found that maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) increases significantly with the LHTH protocol in subelite athletes, but elite athletes may experience a reduction in VO2max with the same protocol, highlighting the need for tailored training approaches.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sea-level exercise performance following adaptation to hypoxia: a meta-analysis. Bonetti, DL., Hopkins, WG.[2022]

After a nine-week training program involving high-intensity training modalities, significant increases in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were observed in the HIFT and HIIT groups following a Graded Exercise Test, indicating these training types may enhance neurotrophic support in the brain.

Despite improvements in overall fitness (VO2max) across all groups, resting BDNF levels did not show consistent increases and were reduced after certain high-intensity tests, suggesting that the effects of high-intensity training on BDNF are complex and depend on the type and intensity of exercise.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of four different forms of high intensity training on BDNF response to Wingate and Graded Exercise Test. Murawska-Ciałowicz, E., de Assis, GG., Clemente, FM., et al.[2023]

A study involving 19 breast cancer patients compared the effects of a supervised exercise program on physical fitness and quality of life, showing that recent-term patients (14-30 months post-diagnosis) had lower fitness levels than later-term patients (74-92 months post-diagnosis).

After 16 weeks of exercise, only the recent-term patients showed significant improvements in physical fitness and health-related quality of life, indicating that regular exercise can aid in recovery and enhance well-being after breast cancer diagnosis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Health-related quality of life and physical fitness in breast cancer patients: the impact of a supervised physical exercise program in women with no exercise experience. Antunes, P., Esteves, D., Nunes, C., et al.[2020]

A meta-analysis of 56 studies found that behavioral techniques significantly reduce fatigue, depression, anxiety, and stress in breast cancer patients, indicating their effectiveness in improving psychosocial functioning.

Physical exercise also showed significant benefits, improving fatigue, depression, body image, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), suggesting that both interventions are valuable for enhancing the well-being of breast cancer survivors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of behavioral techniques and physical exercise on psychosocial functioning and health-related quality of life in breast cancer patients and survivors--a meta-analysis. Duijts, SF., Faber, MM., Oldenburg, HS., et al.[2022]

Integrating exercise into cancer care is a new approach that can enhance patient survival and quality of life by positively influencing factors like the immune system and metabolism.

The emerging field of 'exercise oncology' is exploring how aerobic exercise can affect cancer incidence and progression, suggesting that personalized exercise interventions may improve treatment outcomes for cancer patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physical Activity as the Best Supportive Care in Cancer: The Clinician's and the Researcher's Perspectives. Torregrosa, C., Chorin, F., Beltran, EEM., et al.[2022]

High-intensity (HI) exercise during cancer treatment significantly improves cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) more than low-to-moderate intensity (LMI) exercise, based on a study of 255 women with breast cancer.

Older women (61 years or older) and those who adhered more than 58% to the exercise regimen experienced greater benefits from HI exercise, suggesting that age and adherence are important factors in maximizing the effectiveness of exercise during cancer treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exploring Moderators of the Effect of High vs. Low-to-Moderate Intensity Exercise on Cardiorespiratory Fitness During Breast Cancer Treatment - Analyses of a Subsample From the Phys-Can RCT. Bjørke, ACH., Buffart, LM., Raastad, T., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04863469

Study Details | NCT04863469 | Brain-Physical Optimization ... B-POC uses an acute mentally fatiguing task during routine exercise with the aim of optimizing the effects of physical endurance (e.g., aerobic exercise). B-POC ...

2. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-9-2020-189a5?lat=36.65114&lng=-97.3517

B-POC Training for Physical Fitness The B-POC treatment is unique because it combines physical training with mentally challenging tasks to improve endurance and resilience to mental fatigue, ...

3. clinicaltrial.be clinicaltrial.be/en/details/44601?per_page=100&recruiting=1&enrolling_by_invitation=1&active_not_recruiting=1&not_yet_recruiting=0&completed=0&only_recruiting=0&only_eligible=0

Brain-Physical Optimization Conditioning B-POC uses an acute mentally fatiguing task during routine exercise with the aim of optimizing the effects of physical endurance (e.g., aerobic ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9256523/

Can exercise shape your brain? A review of aerobic ... This review aims to analyze the effects of regular and acute aerobic exercise on cognition. The exercise-cognition relationship will be reviewed

5. clinconnect.io clinconnect.io/trials/NCT04863469

Brain-Physical Optimization Conditioning (NCT04863469) The Brain-Physical Optimization Conditioning (B-POC) trial is studying how to improve physical performance by focusing not just on physical training but also on ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11987655/

Effects of human concurrent aerobic and resistance training ... The findings indicate that CT significantly enhances cognitive health, particularly in older adults and clinical populations.