Biophilic Environmental DesignNCT06928311
This Study Explores Whether Adding Natural Elements Like Plants and Sunlight to Indoor Gyms Makes Exercise Feel Easier, More Enjoyable, and Improves Performance. By Comparing Workouts in Nature-inspired and Plain Gym Settings, it Aims to Find Better Ways to Design Fitness Spaces in Cities.
A study testing Exercise Environment in people with Biophilic Environmental Design and Traditional Exercise Design, run by Colorado State University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The goal of this observational study is to examine whether exercising in a biophilic environment - a space designed to include natural elements like real plants, simulated sunlight, nature sounds, and outdoor views - can improve exercise performance and enjoyment compared to a standard indoor gym environment in male… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 25 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Biophilic Environmental Design, Traditional Exercise Design
- What is being tested?
- Exercise Environment
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 25 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 4 Apr 2025to 1 Nov 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 25 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Men between 18 and 25 years
Who cannot join
- Resting BP greater than 140/90
- Resting HR greater than 100 bpm
- BMI greater than 30 kg/m^2
- inability to exercise at moderate to vigorous intensities
- major illness/health complication in the past
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Colorado State University Cardio Room (Moby Arena 134)
Fort Collins, Colorado, 80521
About this study
Official title: Examining the Influence of Biophilic Design on College Students' Exercise Performance: A Crossover Study
The goal of this observational study is to examine whether exercising in a biophilic environment - a space designed to include natural elements like real plants, simulated sunlight, nature sounds, and outdoor views - can improve exercise performance and enjoyment compared to a standard indoor gym environment in male college students age 18-25 who have regularly exercised prior.
The main question it aims to answer is: "Can biophilic design enhance the physical and mental benefits of indoor exercise?"
Read more
Researchers will compare the two environments to see if there is any changes in exercise performance and enjoyment for each participant.
Participants will complete a treadmill fitness test in both settings to compare physical outcomes like maximal aerobic capacity, so the maximal amount of oxygen one can use during exercise, as well as perceived effort. After each treadmill test participants will be given surveys where they will be asked to evaluate their mood and enjoyment in that environment.
- Being tested
- Exercise Environment
- Keywords
- Exercise, Biophilia, Environmental Design, Mood, Exercise Enjoyment
- Medical subject headings
- Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Exercise EnvironmentOther
This intervention focused around the environmental design of the exercise room.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Biophilic Design | Experimental | The exercise environment will be designed with nature elements, real and artificial plants, a landscape wall paper, simulated sunlight, and nature sounds. Receives: Other: Exercise Environment |
| Traditional Exercise Environment | Experimental | The exercise environment will be designed like a traditional indoor gym setting. With a treadmill at the center and no other purposeful design elements. Receives: Other: Exercise Environment |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Maximal Aerobic Capacity (VO2Max)
This will be taken using a K5 metabolic cart measuring breath by breath
Measured: Testing Day 1
Maximal Aerobic Capacity (VO2Max)
This will be taken using a K5 metabolic cart measuring breath by breath
Measured: Testing Day 2
Rate of Perceived Exertion
Participants will rate their perceived exertion every minute during the test and recovery period on a 6-20 scale.
Measured: Every minute during testing day 1
Rate of Perceived Exertion
Participants will rate their perceived exertion every minute during the test and recovery period on a 6-20 scale.
Measured: Every minute during testing day 2
Mood and Enjoyment Survey
Participants will receive a paper survey on mood and enjoyment to complete.
Measured: Post Test Day 1
Mood and Enjoyment Survey
Participants will receive a paper survey on mood and enjoyment to complete.
Measured: Post Test Day 2
VO2 Plateau Duration
The time at which the participant is exercising at near maximal capacity.
Measured: Post Test Day 1
VO2 Plateau Duration
The time at which the participant is exercising at near maximal capacity.
Measured: Post Test Day 2
Secondary outcomes (1)
Heart Rate
Taken using a Garmin HR chest strap.
Measured: During Testing Day 1 and 2
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 Apr 2025
- Study start4 Apr 2025
- Primary completion16 Oct 2025
- Study completion1 Nov 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Biophilic Environmental DesignStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Model description
- Participants will be randomized into the biophilia group or the traditional group - that will be the environment that they start in. They will then go through a week wash out and then will go into the other environment for their exercise test.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 25 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Colorado State University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Kaigang Li, Principal investigator, Colorado State University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06928311
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 6530
- Status last verified
- Dec 2025
- First submitted
- 1 Apr 2025
- Last updated
- 17 Dec 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 17 Dec 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Examining the Influence of Biophilic Design on College Students' Exercise Performance: A Crossover Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06928311
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 6530
- Keywords
- Exercise, Biophilia, Environmental Design, Mood, Exercise Enjoyment
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 25 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Colorado State UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 4 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 16 Oct 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Nov 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 15 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this observational study is to examine whether exercising in a biophilic environment - a space designed to include natural elements like real plants, simulated sunlight, nature sounds, and outdoor views - can improve exercise performance and enjoyment compared to a standard indoor gym environment in male college students age 18-25 who have regularly exercised prior.
The main question it aims to answer is: "Can biophilic design enhance the physical and mental benefits of indoor exercise?"
Researchers will compare the two environments to see if there is any changes in exercise performance and enjoyment for each participant.
Participants will complete a treadmill fitness test in both settings to compare physical outcomes like maximal aerobic capacity, so the maximal amount of oxygen one can use during exercise, as well as perceived effort. After each treadmill test participants will be given surveys where they will be asked to evaluate their mood and enjoyment in that environment.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants will be randomized into the biophilia group or the traditional group - that will be the environment that they start in. They will then go through a week wash out and then will go into the other environment for their exercise test.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Biophilic Design | Experimental | Other: Exercise EnvironmentThe exercise environment will be designed with nature elements, real and artificial plants, a landscape wall paper, simulated sunlight, and nature sounds. |
| Traditional Exercise Environment | Experimental | Other: Exercise EnvironmentThe exercise environment will be designed like a traditional indoor gym setting. With a treadmill at the center and no other purposeful design elements. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 25 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Men between 18 and 25 years
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Resting BP greater than 140/90
- Resting HR greater than 100 bpm
- BMI greater than 30 kg/m^2
- inability to exercise at moderate to vigorous intensities
- major illness/health complication in the past
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise EnvironmentThis intervention focused around the environmental design of the exercise room. | Other | Biophilic Design, Traditional Exercise Environment |
Primary outcome
Maximal Aerobic Capacity (VO2Max)
Time frame: Testing Day 1
This will be taken using a K5 metabolic cart measuring breath by breath
Maximal Aerobic Capacity (VO2Max)
Time frame: Testing Day 2
This will be taken using a K5 metabolic cart measuring breath by breath
Rate of Perceived Exertion
Time frame: Every minute during testing day 1
Participants will rate their perceived exertion every minute during the test and recovery period on a 6-20 scale.
Rate of Perceived Exertion
Time frame: Every minute during testing day 2
Participants will rate their perceived exertion every minute during the test and recovery period on a 6-20 scale.
Mood and Enjoyment Survey
Time frame: Post Test Day 1
Participants will receive a paper survey on mood and enjoyment to complete.
Mood and Enjoyment Survey
Time frame: Post Test Day 2
Participants will receive a paper survey on mood and enjoyment to complete.
VO2 Plateau Duration
Time frame: Post Test Day 1
The time at which the participant is exercising at near maximal capacity.
VO2 Plateau Duration
Time frame: Post Test Day 2
The time at which the participant is exercising at near maximal capacity.
1 secondary outcome
Heart Rate
Time frame: During Testing Day 1 and 2
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 17 Dec 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Kaigang Li principal investigator
Colorado State University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Exercise Environment in people with Biophilic Environmental Design and Traditional Exercise Design, run by Colorado State University at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 17 Dec 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Maximal Aerobic Capacity (VO2Max) (time frame: Testing Day 1). The study lists 8 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 17 Dec 2025.