Exercise Snacks and Muscular Fitness in Sedentary Young Women

NCT07691567 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: CSK2026051
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 90
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled study examined whether exercise snacks could improve skeletal muscle strength and related physical fitness in sedentary female university students. Eligible participants were sedentary women aged 18 to 25 years who were randomly assigned to an exercise snacks group, a regular exercise group, or a control group. The intervention lasted 8 weeks. The exercise snacks group accumulated short bouts of exercise across the day, while the regular exercise group completed more concentrated exercise sessions three times per week. The control group maintained their usual lifestyle. Muscle strength and related physical fitness were assessed before and after the intervention. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness, feasibility, and safety of exercise snacks in a university setting.

Conditions

Sedentary Behavior; Muscle Strength

Keywords

Exercise Snacks; Sedentary Female University Students; Physical Activity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Isokinetic Muscle Strength

  Isokinetic muscle strength was assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer during standardized testing. Change from baseline to post-intervention was evaluated.

  Baseline and Week 8

• Surface Electromyography Activity

  Surface electromyographic activity was recorded during standardized muscle strength testing to evaluate neuromuscular activation.

  Baseline and Week 8

• Mid-Thigh Isometric Pull

  Maximal force generated during a standardized mid-thigh isometric pull test was assessed to evaluate whole-body isometric strength.

  Baseline and Week 8

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Standing Long Jump

  Baseline and Week 8

• Knee Push-Ups

  Baseline and Week 8

• Bodyweight Squats to Exhaustion

  Baseline and Week 8

Study Arms (3)

Exercise Snacks Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received the exercise snacks intervention for 8 weeks. Exercise was accumulated through short bouts distributed across the day, with a total weekly exercise volume of approximately 75 minutes. Participants completed approximately 11 minutes of exercise on weekdays and 10 minutes on weekends. Exercise guidance, reminders, adherence monitoring, and ratings of perceived exertion were provided through the Tizhiyun mobile application.

Behavioral: Exercise Snacks

Regular Exercise Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants received a regular exercise intervention for 8 weeks. Exercise was completed three times per week, with each session lasting approximately 25 minutes.

Behavioral: Regular Exercise

Usual Lifestyle Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants maintained their usual study and lifestyle routines during the 8-week study period and did not receive additional study-prescribed exercise.

Interventions

Exercise Snacks BEHAVIORAL

Participants performed an 8-week exercise snacks program consisting of short bouts of physical activity distributed across the day. The program was performed 7 days per week, with approximately 75 minutes of exercise per week. Participants completed approximately 11 minutes of short exercise on weekdays and 10 minutes on weekends. Exercise guidance, reminders, adherence monitoring, and ratings of perceived exertion were provided through the Tizhiyun mobile application.

Exercise Snacks Group

Regular Exercise BEHAVIORAL

Participants performed an 8-week regular exercise program. Exercise sessions were completed three times per week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with each session lasting approximately 25 minutes. Exercise guidance, reminders, adherence monitoring, and ratings of perceived exertion were provided through the Tizhiyun mobile application.

Regular Exercise Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Female university students aged 18 to 25 years.
• Daily sedentary time of at least 8 hours, assessed using a sedentary behavior questionnaire.
• No contraindications to exercise based on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire.
• No regular exercise participation during the previous 3 months.

You may not qualify if:

• Clinical conditions that make participation in exercise inappropriate.
• Substantial body weight fluctuation during the previous 3 months.
• Hypertension, cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease, or use of related medications.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Chongqing Normal University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Chongqing Normal University

Chongqing, Chongqing Municipality, 401331, China

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sedentary Behavior; Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Research Coordinator

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to an exercise snacks group, a regular exercise group, or a usual lifestyle control group. The three groups were followed concurrently for 8 weeks. Outcome assessments were conducted at baseline and at the end of the intervention.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 2, 2026
• First Posted: July 9, 2026
• Study Start: April 20, 2026
• Primary Completion: June 25, 2026
• Study Completion: June 25, 2026
• Last Updated: July 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CN (1)