Effects of Moderate Exercise and Cyclic Sighing on Stress, Cognition and Physiological Markers in Young Adults

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Moderate-Intensity Physical Activity (PA): Participants perform 15 minutes of stationary cycling at moderate intensity.

Breathing Training - Cyclic Sighing (CS): Participants perform 15 minutes of cyclic sighing (a breathing technique).

Study summary

This study investigates the effects of moderate physical exercise and cyclic sighing (breathing training) on stress, cognition, and physiological markers in young adults. It is a randomized cross-over trial with two interventions. Each participant will take part in two intervention sessions:

1. Moderate-intensity physical activity (PA): 15 minutes of stationary cycling at 65-75% of maximum heart rate (HRmax).
2. Breathing training (CS): 15 minutes of cyclic sighing, a technique involving inhaling, pausing briefly, taking a deeper breath, and exhaling slowly.

A one-week washout period between sessions is planned to minimise carry-over effects and to ensure participants' physiological state is similar before the next session. During this week, participants will wear Polar Ignite wrist-worn devices to monitor physical activity and sleep.

A total of 30 participants (you adults) will be enrolled.

Measurements performed before and after each intervention include:

* EEG using Emotiv EPOC Flex Gel (32-channel device): 2 minutes with eyes open, 2 minutes with eyes closed, during the interventions, and while performing cognitive test (N-back).
* Heart rate variability (HRV) using the Polar H10 sensor.
* SUDS - Subjective Units of Disress Scale for perceived stress.
* N-back test for cognitive performance using Emotiv App.
* Blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) and heart rate.
* Pain threshold measured with a dolorimeter.
* PANAS-SF - Positive and Negative Affect Schedule.

Baseline questionnaires completed by participants the day before the study:

* PSS-10 - Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen, Kamarck, Mermelstein).
* MAAS - Mindful Attention Awareness Scale
* Psychological well-being - short version
* Mini-COPE - Coping with Stress Inventory
* Sleep quality and average sleep duration
* Chronotype questionnaire (morningness-eveningness)
* GPAQ - Global Physical Activity Questionnaire
* Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

The study aims to understand how brief interventions like moderate exercise and breathing techniques affect stress, cognitive performance, and physiological responses in young adults.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Mean EEG spectral power in theta, alpha, low beta, high beta, gamma frequency bands during resting-state (eyes-open and eyes-closed) — Baseline: immediately before intervention; Post-intervention: immediately after completion of the intervention period
  Mean spectral power in theta, alpha, low beta, high beta, and gamma frequency bands derived from resting-state EEG recordings collected during eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions. Spectral power will be calculated separately for eyes-open and eyes-closed resting-state conditions.
• Heart Rate Variability (HRV) — Baseline (average over 5-minute resting-state immediately before intervention); During intervention (average over entire session, periprocedural); Post-intervention (average over 5-minute resting-state immediately after intervention).
  HRV will be recorded at three time points. Baseline HRV will be calculated as the average over a 5-minute resting-state period immediately before intervention. HRV during the intervention will be calculated as the average over the entire intervention session (periprocedural). Post-intervention HRV will be calculated as the average over a 5-minute resting-state period immediately after intervention.

Trial sites (1)

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