Can a quick bike ride beat stress? study tests best exercise intensity
NCT ID NCT06245538
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study looked at how a single session of cycling at moderate or vigorous intensity affects stress markers, inflammation, and brain activity in 24 healthy adults and those with mild stress symptoms. Participants did 20 minutes of seated rest, moderate cycling, or vigorous cycling on separate days. Researchers measured changes in brain blood flow, stress-related blood biomarkers, and working memory performance. The goal is to understand which exercise intensity offers the best short-term benefits for stress and brain health.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- physical exercise (cycling at moderate or vigorous intensity)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help identify the best exercise intensity for reducing stress and improving brain function in people with mild stress symptoms.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed study with only 24 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. It looks at short-term effects, not long-term benefits.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences
Stockholm, 11433, Sweden
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