Respiratory FunctionNCT07521956
The Effects of a Mindfulness Program on Running Performance, Respiratory Function, and Heart Rate Variability
A study testing Mindful meditation and Breathwork in people with Respiratory Function and Runners, run by University of the Fraser Valley at 1 site in Canada.
Trial 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). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 19 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Respiratory Function, Runners
- What is being tested?
- Mindful meditation and Breathwork
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 20 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCanada
- Study dates
- 19 Jan 2026to Dec 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 19 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- 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
Who cannot join
- Running more than 520 minutes per week
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Canada1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
University of the Fraser Valley
Chilliwack, British Columbia, V2R0N3
Gillian Hatfield, PhD, 1 604-504-7441 ext. 2217, gillian.hatfield@ufv.ca
Gillian Hatfield, PhD
About this study
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
- Being tested
- Mindful meditation, Breathwork
- Keywords
- respiratory function, running performance, heart rate variability, mindfulness, breathwork, meditation
- Medical subject headings
- Respiratory Aspiration
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Mindful meditationBehavioural
20-minute, video-based mindful meditation focusing on relaxation
BreathworkBehavioural
20-minute, video-based meditation focusing on breathwork: physiological sigh, cyclic breathing with breath holds, resonant frequency breathing
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Mindful meditation | Active comparator | 20 minute, video-based mindful meditation focusing on relaxation. Receives: Behavioral: Mindful meditation |
| Breathwork | Experimental | 20-minute, video based meditation focusing on breathwork: physiological sigh, cyclic breathing with breath holds, resonant frequency breathing Receives: Behavioral: Breathwork |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: From baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)
Secondary outcomes (6)
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.
Measured: Baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)
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.
Measured: Baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)
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.
Measured: Baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)
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.
Measured: Baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)
Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV)
Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV) is a pulmonary function test that measures the maximum volume of air a person can inhale and exhale over 12 seconds, reported in liters per minute (L/min). It is measured using spirometry.
Measured: Baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)
Recovery heart rate variability
This is the heart rate variability (measured using a chest strap and the Elite HRV app) obtained during the last 3 minutes of 10 minutes of quiet lying after the running trials.
Measured: Baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted13 Apr 2026
- Study start19 Jan 2026
- Primary completionDec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completionDec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Respiratory FunctionStudies 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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of the Fraser Valley
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Les Mills International
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Gillian Hatfield, University of the Fraser Valley
- Investigators
- Gillian Hatfield, PhD, Principal investigator, University of the Fraser Valley
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07521956
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 101891
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 3 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 13 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Deidentified participant data that is used in the results publication will be shared with other researchers on reasonable request.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effects of a Mindfulness Program on Running Performance, Respiratory Function, and Heart Rate Variability
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07521956
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 101891
- Conditions
- Respiratory Function, Runners
- Keywords
- respiratory function, running performance, heart rate variability, mindfulness, breathwork, meditation
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of the Fraser ValleyUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Les Mills International
- Study start
- 19 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 13 Apr 2026 (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.
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.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Mindful meditation | Active comparator | Behavioral: Mindful meditation20 minute, video-based mindful meditation focusing on relaxation. |
| Breathwork | Experimental | Behavioral: Breathwork20-minute, video based meditation focusing on breathwork: physiological sigh, cyclic breathing with breath holds, resonant frequency breathing |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 19 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- 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
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Running more than 520 minutes per week
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mindful meditation20-minute, video-based mindful meditation focusing on relaxation | Behavioural | Mindful meditation |
| Breathwork20-minute, video-based meditation focusing on breathwork: physiological sigh, cyclic breathing with breath holds, resonant frequency breathing | Behavioural | Breathwork |
Primary outcome
Preferred running speed at moderate intensity
Time frame: From baseline to followup (4 weeks later)
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.
Preferred running speed at vigorous intensity
Time frame: From baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)
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.
6 secondary outcomes
Waking heart rate variability
Time frame: Baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)
Forced Vital Capacity
Time frame: Baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)
Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1)
Time frame: Baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)
Peak Expiratory Flow rate (PEFR)
Time frame: Baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)
Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV)
Time frame: Baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)
Recovery heart rate variability
Time frame: Baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 13 Apr 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Deidentified participant data that is used in the results publication will be shared with other researchers on reasonable request.
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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.
Gillian Hatfield, PhD principal investigator
University of the Fraser Valley
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Mindful meditation and Breathwork in people with Respiratory Function and Runners, run by University of the Fraser Valley at 1 site in Canada.
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 2 inclusion and 1 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 Apr 2026. 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 Canada. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Gillian Hatfield, PhD (1 604-504-7441 ext. 2217, gillian.hatfield@ufv.ca), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Preferred running speed at moderate intensity (time frame: From baseline to followup (4 weeks later)). The study lists 2 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 13 Apr 2026.