The Effects of a Mindfulness Program on Running Performance, Respiratory Function, and Heart Rate Variability

NCT07521956 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 101891
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 20
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Broadly, the objective of the research is to evaluate the effectiveness of a specific breathwork program (Les Mills Breath) on various physiological variables related to running performance, compared to a mindfulness control (20 minutes of guided meditation). There are three specific research questions: 1) Does daily participation in a 20-minute breathwork program improve respiratory function more than a mindfulness control intervention? 2) Does daily participation in a 20-minute breathwork program improve heart rate variability (an indicator of parasympathetic nervous system activity which is associated with enhanced exercise recovery) more than a mindfulness control intervention? 3) Does daily participation in a 20-minute breathwork program increase self-selected running speeds at relative moderate and vigorous intensities more than a mindfulness control intervention? The intended outcomes of the current research are to contribute to the field of research which has examined various forms of "respiratory training" and their effects on athletic performance, specifically running. While certain training protocols have been shown to be effective, there are issues of accessibility which persist. Methods of respiratory training/breathwork which are more easily available to recreational athletes are understudied with regards to running performance, hence the current research.

Conditions

Respiratory Function; Runners

Keywords

respiratory function; running performance; heart rate variability; mindfulness; breathwork; meditation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Preferred running speed at moderate intensity

  Following a warmup, the speed on a treadmill will be increased until the participant signals that an exertion level of 12/20 is reached on the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale, corresponding to moderate intensity and feeling "somewhat hard". The participant will run at this intensity for five minutes. The speed will be blinded to the participant throughout the data collection, encouraging them to rely on physical cues of exertion.

  From baseline to followup (4 weeks later)

• Preferred running speed at vigorous intensity

  Following the five minutes running at 12/20 (moderate) intensity, the speed will again be increased until a subjective exertion level of 16/20 (vigorous, and feeling "very hard") is reached. The subject will continue running at this intensity for 5 minutes. The running speed at each phase will be noted by the researcher.

  From baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Waking heart rate variability

  Baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)

• Forced Vital Capacity

  Baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)

• Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1)

  Baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)

• Peak Expiratory Flow rate (PEFR)

  Baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)

• Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV)

  Baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)

Study Arms (2)

Mindful meditation

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

20 minute, video-based mindful meditation focusing on relaxation.

Behavioral: Mindful meditation

Breathwork

EXPERIMENTAL

20-minute, video based meditation focusing on breathwork: physiological sigh, cyclic breathing with breath holds, resonant frequency breathing

Behavioral: Breathwork

Interventions

Mindful meditation BEHAVIORAL

20-minute, video-based mindful meditation focusing on relaxation

Mindful meditation

Breathwork BEHAVIORAL

20-minute, video-based meditation focusing on breathwork: physiological sigh, cyclic breathing with breath holds, resonant frequency breathing

Breathwork

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 19 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Must pass the Get Active Questionnaire to assess physical activity risk
• Must regularly engage in recreational running for between 30 and 520 minutes per week

You may not qualify if:

• Running more than 520 minutes per week

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of the Fraser Valley: lead
• Les Mills International: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of the Fraser Valley

Chilliwack, British Columbia, V2R0N3, Canada

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Respiratory Aspiration

Interventions

Mindfulness

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Respiration Disorders; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Behavior Therapy; Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities

Study Officials

• Gillian Hatfield, PhD

  University of the Fraser Valley

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Gillian Hatfield, PhD

CONTACT

1 604-504-7441; gillian.hatfield@ufv.ca

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 3, 2026
• First Posted: April 13, 2026
• Study Start: January 19, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Last Updated: April 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, ICF
• Time Frame: Available immediately following publication, and for 7 years after publication.
• Access Criteria: Other researchers can contact the Principal Investigator via email to request deidentified data.

Locations

CA (1)