Effects of Different Intensities of Aerobic Exercise with Synchronized Music on Mental Health, Attention, and Brain Function in Chinese Medical Students

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to explore how 8 weeks of aerobic exercise with synchronized music at different intensities affects psychology, attention, and executive function among Chinese medical college students. It also focuses on validating the reliability and accuracy of Chinese versions of several questionnaires related to stress, life satisfaction, positive thinking, attention, procrastination, and executive function. This work provides a basis for understanding how aerobic exercise might improve cognitive and mental health in this population. Participants are divided into four groups three intervention groups receiving low-, moderate-, or high-intensity aerobic training combined with synchronous music, and a control group without intervention. Each intervention involves exercise sessions lasting 40 minutes, three times per week, for 8 weeks. The intensity of aerobic exercise is defined by MET values and adjusted through treadmill tests. Music tempo is matched to exercise intensity and delivered via headphones. The study design includes cross-sectional and randomized controlled trial parts. Participants will undergo psychological, attentional, and executive function assessments before and after the intervention using questionnaires, smartwatches, and brain imaging with functional near-infrared spectroscopy fNIRS. The study measures psychological function, attention, executive function, and brain connectivity up to 30 weeks. Data on positive thinking skills are also collected. Participation includes a total of 24 exercise sessions over 8 weeks, with ongoing monitoring of brain functional changes and mental health outcomes.

Effect of Aerobic Exercise With Synchronous Music on Functions Among Medical Students