Physiological and Psychological Effects

NCT07398729 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: BAP-SHMYO.2025.001
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 84
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Stress-related mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and stress are common among young adults and are often linked to both psychological and physiological changes in the body. One of the key biological markers of stress is cortisol, a hormone released in response to stress. Elevated cortisol levels over time may negatively affect both mental and physical health. Although regular physical activity and relaxation-based approaches are known to reduce stress, it is not yet clear whether short-term, easily applicable interventions can produce measurable benefits, especially when motivational strategies and exercise are combined. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of short-term motivational factors and a single session of calisthenic exercise on blood cortisol levels and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in young adults. Motivational factors in this study include group-based activities, diaphragmatic breathing, and stretching exercises, which are designed to increase engagement and relaxation without requiring intense physical effort. Calisthenic exercise refers to bodyweight-based movements that can be performed without special equipment and are accessible to most individuals. This randomized controlled trial compares three groups: one group receiving motivational factors followed by a single session of calisthenic exercise, a second group receiving motivational factors only, and a control group receiving no intervention. By measuring blood cortisol levels and self-reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress before and after the intervention, the study aims to determine whether these short-term interventions can lead to meaningful psychological and physiological improvements. The main question this study seeks to answer is whether a brief, single-session intervention combining motivational strategies and calisthenic exercise is more effective than motivational strategies alone or no intervention in reducing stress hormone levels and psychological distress in young adults. Additionally, the study explores whether lifestyle and sociodemographic factors, such as exercise habits, sleep patterns, and perceived economic status, are associated with cortisol levels. The findings of this study may help identify simple, low-cost, and time-efficient approaches that can be used to support stress management and mental well-being in young adult populations, particularly in university settings.

Conditions

Healthy Young Adults

Keywords

Anxiety; Calisthenic exercise; Cortisol; Depression; Motivational factors; Stress; Young adult

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• DASS-21

  It is scored between 0 and 63. Higher scores indicate higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress.

  Immediately before and immediately after the single 45-minute exercise session

• Cortisol

  Blood cortisol concentration will be measured in µg/dL using a standardized laboratory assay. A value of 17 µg/dL is considered a commonly used reference threshold, with values above this level generally indicating higher physiological stress and values below this level indicating lower physiological stress.

  Immediately before the exercise session and 20 minutes after completion of the single exercise session

Study Arms (3)

Control

NO INTERVENTION

No intervention was applied to this group.

MF group

EXPERIMENTAL

Only motivational factors were applied to this group. As motivational factors, participants performed diaphragmatic breathing exercises and stretching exercises in groups.

Other: Motivational factors

MF+CE group

EXPERIMENTAL

Motivational factors and calisthenic exercises were applied to this group. First, motivational factors were implemented in groups, followed by calisthenic exercises.

Other: Calisthenic exercise and Motivational factors; Other: Motivational factors

Interventions

Calisthenic exercise and Motivational factors OTHER

Following a 15-minute motivational factors intervention, a 30-minute calisthenic exercise program was implemented.

Also known as: CE and MF

MF+CE group

Motivational factors OTHER

A 15-minute motivational factors intervention was applied.

MF group; MF+CE group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Individuals who voluntarily agreed to participate.
• Individuals aged between 18 and 25 years.
• Individuals who had not engaged in regular exercise (at least three days per week) within the past six months.
• Individuals with no diagnosed psychiatric disorder.
• Individuals with no chronic health condition.
• Individuals who did not use any substances.

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals who did not agree to participate in the study.
• Individuals who completed the baseline (pre-intervention) assessment but did not complete the post-intervention assessment.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Bingol University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Bingöl University

Merkez, Bingöl, 12000, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anxiety Disorders; Depression

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Disorders; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Asst. Prof.

Model Details: This study is a three-arm, randomised controlled trial.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 25, 2026
• First Posted: February 10, 2026
• Study Start: July 2, 2025
• Primary Completion: November 19, 2025
• Study Completion: January 20, 2026
• Last Updated: February 10, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)