NCT07379606

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

A Comparison of Psychophysiological Effects Between Relaxation Techniques and Physical Exercise in Young Adults

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Poznan University of Physical Education · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 35 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

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.

Conditions

• Stress

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Moderate-Intensity Physical Activity (PA)	Participants perform 15 minutes of stationary cycling at moderate intensity.
BEHAVIORAL	Breathing Training - Cyclic Sighing (CS)	Participants perform 15 minutes of cyclic sighing (a breathing technique).

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-03-01
• Primary completion: 2026-06-30
• Completion: 2026-08-31
• First posted: 2026-01-30
• Last updated: 2026-01-30