NCT07140185

Impact of a Physical Activity Intervention on Sleep Quality, Mental and Physical Well-Being in Health Sciences Students

Evaluation of a Physical Activity Intervention on Sleep Quality, Mental and Physical Well-Being in Health Sciences Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Regular Weekly Activity With a "Weekend Warrior" Pattern

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 100 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Sfax · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 25 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of a regular weekly physical activity program versus a "Weekend Warrior" activity pattern on sleep quality, physical well-being, and mental well-being in sedentary university students. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the intervention groups or to a control group and assessed at baseline and after the intervention.

Detailed description

Sedentary behavior is a growing concern among university students and is associated with poor sleep quality, fatigue, and lower mental well-being. Physical activity interventions can improve these outcomes, but the optimal frequency and pattern of activity remain unclear. This randomized controlled trial will evaluate and compare the effects of a regular weekly physical activity schedule with those of a "Weekend Warrior" pattern, in which the recommended amount of exercise is concentrated in two sessions per week. Sedentary university students will be randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups or to a control group for an 8-10 week period. Sleep quality (measured by actigraphy), physical well-being, and mental well-being will be assessed before and after the intervention. The findings of this study may help to inform public health recommendations for physical activity patterns among young adults.

Conditions

• Sleep Quality
• Sedentary Lifestlye
• Physical Activity
• Well-being

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Regular Weekly Physical Activity Program	Structured physical activity sessions three times per week, 50 minutes each, over 8 weeks. Includes aerobic exercises, supervised by trained instructors. Goal is to distribute the recommended weekly activity evenly.
BEHAVIORAL	Weekend Warrior Physical Activity Program	Same total weekly activity as Arm 1, but concentrated in 2 weekend sessions of 75 minutes each. Includes aerobic exercises, supervised by the same trained instructors.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-09-15
• Primary completion: 2025-10-05
• Completion: 2025-12-20
• First posted: 2025-08-24
• Last updated: 2025-08-24

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Tunisia