Sedentary BehaviorNCT07693504
Weekend Warrior Exercise in Sedentary Female University Students
A study testing Weekend Warrior Exercise and Regularly Distributed Exercise in people with Sedentary Behavior, run by Chongqing Normal University at 1 site in China.
Trial summary
This single-center, single-blind, three-arm randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of weekend-concentrated exercise, regularly distributed exercise, and usual lifestyle on aerobic capacity and skeletal muscle strength in sedentary female university students. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 25 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Sedentary Behavior
- What is being tested?
- Weekend Warrior Exercise and Regularly Distributed Exercise
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChina
- Study dates
- Jul 2026to Oct 2027
- 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 18 to 25 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Female university students aged 18 to 25 years.
- Self-reported sedentary time of at least 6 hours per day, further assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).
- No cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, metabolic, or musculoskeletal diseases.
- Relatively regular menstrual cycles.
- Able to understand the study procedures, willing to complete the intervention and assessments, and willing to provide written informed consent.
Who cannot join
- Any condition identified through clinical assessment or health screening that makes participation in moderate-intensity exercise or exercise-to-exhaustion testing inappropriate.
- Participation in regular exercise training, a systematic weight-loss or body-shaping program, or another exercise intervention study within the previous 3 months.
- Recent substantial body-weight fluctuations that may affect body-composition assessment.
- Cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, metabolic, or musculoskeletal diseases, or current use of medications that may affect exercise performance, heart-rate responses, or muscle function.
- Irregular menstrual cycles.
- Inability to complete the 8-week intervention, post-intervention assessments, or required study records.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
China1 site
Chongqing Normal University
Chongqing, Chongqing Municipality, 401331
Kaixiang Zhou, +86 17844597198, bsuzhoukaixiang@163.com
About this study
Official title: Effects of Weekend Warrior Exercise on Aerobic Capacity and Skeletal Muscle Strength in Sedentary Female University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This single-center, single-blind, three-arm randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of weekend-concentrated exercise, regularly distributed exercise, and usual lifestyle on aerobic capacity and skeletal muscle strength in sedentary female university students. Sixty participants aged 18 to 25 years will be randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to a weekend warrior group, a regular exercise group, or a control group.
The intervention will last 8 weeks. Both exercise groups will complete 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, combining resistance exercise and jogging, but the exercise sessions will be distributed differently across the week. The control group will maintain its usual lifestyle without receiving the prescribed exercise intervention.
The primary outcomes are peak oxygen uptake and isokinetic peak torque. Secondary outcomes include body composition, maximal heart rate, maximal power and time to exhaustion, 12-minute run performance, isokinetic mean torque, physical activity, sleep quality, exercise self-efficacy, emotional status, cognitive function, adherence, feasibility, and exercise-related adverse events.
Read the detailed description
This study is designed to test whether concentrating the recommended weekly exercise volume into a weekend pattern produces comparable benefits to a regularly distributed exercise pattern in sedentary female university students. The intervention emphasizes a dose-matched comparison in which both exercise groups complete the same total weekly exercise duration, while the distribution of exercise sessions differs.
After baseline screening and assessment, participants will be assigned to one of three parallel groups using a 1:1:1 allocation ratio. The weekend warrior group will complete two consecutive exercise days per week, whereas the regularly distributed exercise group will complete three exercise days per week. Both exercise programs will last 8 weeks and include resistance exercise combined with moderate-intensity jogging.
Resistance exercise will primarily target the lower limbs, core, and major muscle groups. Exercises may include squats, lunges, glute bridges, calf raises, and planks, using body weight, elastic bands, or light equipment as appropriate. Jogging may be performed as continuous jogging or a run-walk format according to individual fitness level. Exercise intensity will be monitored using heart rate and rating of perceived exertion. Jogging intensity will generally be maintained at approximately 60% to 75% of maximal heart rate or a rating of perceived exertion of 12 to 14. Each session will include warm-up, supervised exercise, and cool-down activities.
The main contrast between the two exercise interventions is the weekly distribution of exercise rather than total weekly duration. The control group will maintain usual study and lifestyle habits during the 8-week period. Study staff will monitor adherence, perceived exertion, discomfort, and exercise-related events during the intervention. Outcome assessors will be blinded to group allocation when feasible.
- Conditions
- Sedentary Behavior
- Being tested
- Weekend Warrior Exercise, Regularly Distributed Exercise
- Keywords
- Weekend Warrior Exercise, Aerobic Capacity, Skeletal Muscle Strength, Female University Students, Exercise Distribution, Moderate-Intensity Exercise
- Medical subject headings
- Sedentary Behavior
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Weekend Warrior ExerciseBehavioural
Participants will complete an 8-week weekend-concentrated exercise program on two consecutive days per week. On each exercise day, participants will perform 30 minutes of resistance exercise and 45 minutes of moderate-intensity jogging, resulting in 75 minutes per day and 150 minutes per week. Resistance exercises will target the lower limbs, core, and major muscle groups and may include squats, lunges, glute bridges, calf raises, and planks. Jogging intensity will be maintained at approximately 60% to 75% of maximal heart rate or a rating of perceived exertion of 12 to 14. Each session will include warm-up and cool-down activities.
Regularly Distributed ExerciseBehavioural
Participants will complete 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week for 8 weeks, distributed across three days. Each session will include 20 minutes of resistance exercise targeting the lower limbs, core, and major muscle groups, followed by 30 minutes of jogging. The exercise content, intensity-control principles, and safety requirements will be comparable to those of the weekend warrior group.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Weekend Warrior Exercise Group | Experimental | Participants will complete an 8-week weekend-concentrated exercise program. They will exercise on two consecutive days per week, completing 30 minutes of resistance exercise and 45 minutes of jogging on each exercise day, for a total of 75 minutes per day and 150 minutes per week. Receives: Behavioral: Weekend Warrior Exercise |
| Regular Exercise Group | Active comparator | Participants will complete an 8-week regularly distributed exercise program. They will exercise on three days per week, completing 20 minutes of resistance exercise and 30 minutes of jogging during each session, for a total of 50 minutes per session and 150 minutes per week. Receives: Behavioral: Regularly Distributed Exercise |
| Control Group | No intervention | Participants will maintain their usual study and lifestyle habits during the 8-week study period and will not receive the exercise intervention prescribed by the study. Their participation in additional structured exercise will be monitored. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Peak Oxygen Uptake (VO2peak)
Peak oxygen uptake will be assessed during a graded cardiopulmonary exercise test. VO2peak will be recorded in milliliters of oxygen per kilogram of body mass per minute (mL/kg/min). The change from baseline to the end of the 8-week intervention will be compared among the three study groups.
Measured: Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Change in Isokinetic Peak Torque
Skeletal muscle peak torque will be assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer and recorded in Newton-meters (N·m). The change from baseline to the end of the 8-week intervention will be compared among the three study groups.
Measured: Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Secondary outcomes (11)
Change in Body Weight
Body weight will be measured in kilograms (kg). The change from baseline to the end of the 8-week intervention will be compared among the three study groups.
Measured: Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Change in Body Mass Index
Body mass index will be calculated as body weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m²). The change from baseline to week 8 will be compared among the three study groups.
Measured: Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Change in Body Fat Percentage
Body fat percentage will be assessed using body composition analysis and reported as a percentage (%). The change from baseline to week 8 will be compared among the three study groups.
Measured: Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Change in Waist-to-Hip Ratio
Waist-to-hip ratio will be calculated by dividing waist circumference by hip circumference. The change from baseline to week 8 will be compared among the three study groups.
Measured: Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Change in Maximal Heart Rate
Maximal heart rate will be recorded during the graded exercise test and reported in beats per minute (bpm). The change from baseline to week 8 will be compared among the three study groups.
Measured: Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Change in Maximal Power at Exhaustion
The maximal power output achieved during the graded exercise test will be recorded in watts (W). The change from baseline to week 8 will be compared among the three study groups.
Measured: Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Change in Time to Exhaustion
Time to exhaustion during the graded exercise test will be recorded in seconds. The change from baseline to week 8 will be compared among the three study groups.
Measured: Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Change in 12-Minute Run Distance
The total distance completed during the 12-minute run test will be recorded in meters (m). The change from baseline to week 8 will be compared among the three study groups.
Measured: Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Change in Isokinetic Mean Torque
Mean torque will be assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer and reported in Newton-meters (N·m). The change from baseline to week 8 will be compared among the three study groups.
Measured: Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Change in Physical Activity Level Assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire
Physical activity level will be assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and expressed as metabolic equivalent minutes per week (MET-min/week). Higher values indicate a greater level of physical activity.
Measured: Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Exercise Adherence
Exercise adherence will be calculated as the number of completed prescribed exercise sessions divided by the total number of prescribed sessions, multiplied by 100, and reported as a percentage. This outcome will be assessed separately in the two exercise groups.
Measured: Throughout the 8-week intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted9 Jul 2026
- Study startJul 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completionOct 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionOct 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Sedentary BehaviorStudies 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
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to the weekend warrior exercise group, regular exercise group, or control group. The two exercise groups will complete the same total weekly exercise duration but will differ in how the exercise sessions are distributed across the week.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Chongqing Normal University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Ziren Zhao, Chongqing Normal University
- Investigators
- Kaixiang Zhou, Principal investigator, Chongqing Normal University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07693504
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- CSK2026052
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 3 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 13 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared. Study findings will be reported only in aggregate or anonymized form in academic publications, conference presentations, and research reports, in accordance with the approved protocol and informed consent.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Weekend Warrior Exercise on Aerobic Capacity and Skeletal Muscle Strength in Sedentary Female University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07693504
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CSK2026052
- Conditions
- Sedentary Behavior
- Keywords
- Weekend Warrior Exercise, Aerobic Capacity, Skeletal Muscle Strength, Female University Students, Exercise Distribution, Moderate-Intensity Exercise
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Chongqing Normal UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- Oct 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Oct 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 9 Jul 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.
This single-center, single-blind, three-arm randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of weekend-concentrated exercise, regularly distributed exercise, and usual lifestyle on aerobic capacity and skeletal muscle strength in sedentary female university students. Sixty participants aged 18 to 25 years will be randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to a weekend warrior group, a regular exercise group, or a control group.
The intervention will last 8 weeks. Both exercise groups will complete 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, combining resistance exercise and jogging, but the exercise sessions will be distributed differently across the week. The control group will maintain its usual lifestyle without receiving the prescribed exercise intervention.
The primary outcomes are peak oxygen uptake and isokinetic peak torque. Secondary outcomes include body composition, maximal heart rate, maximal power and time to exhaustion, 12-minute run performance, isokinetic mean torque, physical activity, sleep quality, exercise self-efficacy, emotional status, cognitive function, adherence, feasibility, and exercise-related adverse events.
Detailed description
This study is designed to test whether concentrating the recommended weekly exercise volume into a weekend pattern produces comparable benefits to a regularly distributed exercise pattern in sedentary female university students. The intervention emphasizes a dose-matched comparison in which both exercise groups complete the same total weekly exercise duration, while the distribution of exercise sessions differs.
After baseline screening and assessment, participants will be assigned to one of three parallel groups using a 1:1:1 allocation ratio. The weekend warrior group will complete two consecutive exercise days per week, whereas the regularly distributed exercise group will complete three exercise days per week. Both exercise programs will last 8 weeks and include resistance exercise combined with moderate-intensity jogging.
Resistance exercise will primarily target the lower limbs, core, and major muscle groups. Exercises may include squats, lunges, glute bridges, calf raises, and planks, using body weight, elastic bands, or light equipment as appropriate. Jogging may be performed as continuous jogging or a run-walk format according to individual fitness level. Exercise intensity will be monitored using heart rate and rating of perceived exertion. Jogging intensity will generally be maintained at approximately 60% to 75% of maximal heart rate or a rating of perceived exertion of 12 to 14. Each session will include warm-up, supervised exercise, and cool-down activities.
The main contrast between the two exercise interventions is the weekly distribution of exercise rather than total weekly duration. The control group will maintain usual study and lifestyle habits during the 8-week period. Study staff will monitor adherence, perceived exertion, discomfort, and exercise-related events during the intervention. Outcome assessors will be blinded to group allocation when feasible.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to the weekend warrior exercise group, regular exercise group, or control group. The two exercise groups will complete the same total weekly exercise duration but will differ in how the exercise sessions are distributed across the week.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Weekend Warrior Exercise Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Weekend Warrior ExerciseParticipants will complete an 8-week weekend-concentrated exercise program. They will exercise on two consecutive days per week, completing 30 minutes of resistance exercise and 45 minutes of jogging on each exercise day, for a total of 75 minutes per day and 150 minutes per week. |
| Regular Exercise Group | Active comparator | Behavioral: Regularly Distributed ExerciseParticipants will complete an 8-week regularly distributed exercise program. They will exercise on three days per week, completing 20 minutes of resistance exercise and 30 minutes of jogging during each session, for a total of 50 minutes per session and 150 minutes per week. |
| Control Group | No intervention | –Participants will maintain their usual study and lifestyle habits during the 8-week study period and will not receive the exercise intervention prescribed by the study. Their participation in additional structured exercise will be monitored. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 25 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Female university students aged 18 to 25 years.
- Self-reported sedentary time of at least 6 hours per day, further assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).
- No cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, metabolic, or musculoskeletal diseases.
- Relatively regular menstrual cycles.
- Able to understand the study procedures, willing to complete the intervention and assessments, and willing to provide written informed consent.
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Any condition identified through clinical assessment or health screening that makes participation in moderate-intensity exercise or exercise-to-exhaustion testing inappropriate.
- Participation in regular exercise training, a systematic weight-loss or body-shaping program, or another exercise intervention study within the previous 3 months.
- Recent substantial body-weight fluctuations that may affect body-composition assessment.
- Cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, metabolic, or musculoskeletal diseases, or current use of medications that may affect exercise performance, heart-rate responses, or muscle function.
- Irregular menstrual cycles.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Weekend Warrior ExerciseParticipants will complete an 8-week weekend-concentrated exercise program on two consecutive days per week. On each exercise day, participants will perform 30 minutes of resistance exercise and 45 minutes of moderate-intensity jogging, resulting in 75 minutes per day and 150 minutes per week. Resistance exercises will target the lower limbs, core, and major muscle groups and may include squats, lunges, glute bridges, calf raises, and planks. Jogging intensity will be maintained at approximately 60% to 75% of maximal heart rate or a rating of perceived exertion of 12 to 14. Each session will include warm-up and cool-down activities. | Behavioural | Weekend Warrior Exercise Group |
| Regularly Distributed ExerciseParticipants will complete 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week for 8 weeks, distributed across three days. Each session will include 20 minutes of resistance exercise targeting the lower limbs, core, and major muscle groups, followed by 30 minutes of jogging. The exercise content, intensity-control principles, and safety requirements will be comparable to those of the weekend warrior group. | Behavioural | Regular Exercise Group |
Primary outcome
Change in Peak Oxygen Uptake (VO2peak)
Time frame: Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Peak oxygen uptake will be assessed during a graded cardiopulmonary exercise test. VO2peak will be recorded in milliliters of oxygen per kilogram of body mass per minute (mL/kg/min). The change from baseline to the end of the 8-week intervention will be compared among the three study groups.
Change in Isokinetic Peak Torque
Time frame: Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Skeletal muscle peak torque will be assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer and recorded in Newton-meters (N·m). The change from baseline to the end of the 8-week intervention will be compared among the three study groups.
11 secondary outcomes
Change in Body Weight
Time frame: Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Change in Body Mass Index
Time frame: Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Change in Body Fat Percentage
Time frame: Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Change in Waist-to-Hip Ratio
Time frame: Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Change in Maximal Heart Rate
Time frame: Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Change in Maximal Power at Exhaustion
Time frame: Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Change in Time to Exhaustion
Time frame: Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Change in 12-Minute Run Distance
Time frame: Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Change in Isokinetic Mean Torque
Time frame: Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Change in Physical Activity Level Assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire
Time frame: Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)
Exercise Adherence
Time frame: Throughout the 8-week intervention
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 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared. Study findings will be reported only in aggregate or anonymized form in academic publications, conference presentations, and research reports, in accordance with the approved protocol and informed consent.
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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.
Kaixiang Zhou principal investigator
Chongqing Normal 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 Weekend Warrior Exercise and Regularly Distributed Exercise in people with Sedentary Behavior, run by Chongqing Normal University at 1 site in China.
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 5 inclusion and 6 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 Jul 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 China. 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 Kaixiang Zhou (+86 17844597198, bsuzhoukaixiang@163.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Peak Oxygen Uptake (VO2peak) (time frame: Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)). 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 Jul 2026.