The Effects of a Mindfulness Program on Running Performance, Respiratory Function, and Heart Rate Variability
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age19+
SponsorUniversity of the Fraser Valley
About this trial
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.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
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
Disqualifiers
Running more than 520 minutes per week
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Mindful meditation
Behavioral20-minute, video-based mindful meditation focusing on relaxation
Breathwork
Behavioral20-minute, video-based meditation focusing on breathwork: physiological sigh, cyclic breathing with breath holds, resonant frequency breathing
Treatment groups
20 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: Mindful meditationActive comparator 1 intervention
Group B: BreathworkExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
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.
Time frame
From baseline to followup (4 weeks later)2
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.
Time frame
From baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)Secondary outcomes
1
Waking heart rate variability
Participants will use a heart rate monitor (Polar chest strap) and the Elite HRV app to measure waking heart rate variability (RMSDD) for 3 minutes each morning for 6 days after the baseline appointment, and for 6 days leading up to the follow-up appointment.
Time frame
Baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)2
Forced Vital Capacity
Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) is the total amount of air a person can forcibly exhale from their lungs after taking the deepest breath possible. It is measured using a spirometer.
Time frame
Baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)3
Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1)
FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second) measures the maximum amount of air you can forcibly exhale in the first second of a breath. It is measured using spirometry.
Time frame
Baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)4
Peak Expiratory Flow rate (PEFR)
PEFR (Peak Expiratory Flow Rate) measures the maximum speed of air exhaled from the lungs. It is measured using a spirometer.
Time frame
Baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)Sponsors and contacts
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
University of the Fraser Valley
Lead sponsor
Les Mills International
Collaborator
Source ClinicalTrials.gov