Psychological DistressNCT07917169
Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training on Psychological Distress and Self-Regulation in Insufficiently Active Male University Students
A study testing High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training in people with Psychological Distress and Self-control, run by Burcu Sıla SEZER at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study compared the effects of two running-based exercise programs on psychological distress, self-control, and emotion regulation in male university students who were not sufficiently physically active. 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
- Psychological Distress, Self-control, Emotion Regulation
- What is being tested?
- High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 36 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 22 Sep 2025to 17 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
- Male university students aged 18-25 years.
- No participation in structured exercise more than two days per week during the preceding six months.
- Less than 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week, assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF).
- Provision of written informed consent.
Who cannot join
- A positive response on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q+) without physician approval.
- Known cardiovascular, metabolic, or respiratory disease, or a musculoskeletal injury limiting exercise.
- Initiation of psychiatric treatment or a change in psychotropic medication dose within the preceding three months.
- Plans to participate in another structured exercise program during the study period.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
This study compared the effects of two running-based exercise programs on psychological distress, self-control, and emotion regulation in male university students who were not sufficiently physically active.
Thirty-six participants aged 18-25 years were randomly assigned to one of three groups: high-intensity interval training, moderate-intensity continuous training, or a wait-list control group. Both exercise programs lasted eight weeks and included three supervised sessions per week, for a total of 24 sessions. High-intensity interval training involved alternating periods of intense exercise and recovery, while moderate-intensity continuous training involved continuous exercise at a moderate intensity. The control group did not receive either exercise program during the study.
Participants completed questionnaires before and after the eight-week study period. The study examined whether changes in psychological distress, self-control, and emotion regulation differed among the three groups.
- Being tested
- High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training
- Keywords
- Mental health, Young adult, Exercise psychology, Psychological distress
- Medical subject headings
- Self-Control, Emotional Regulation, Sedentary Behavior, Psychological Well-Being
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)Behavioural
An eight-week supervised running-based exercise program consisting of three sessions per week, for a total of 24 sessions. Sessions involved repeated bouts of high-intensity running alternated with recovery periods.
Moderate-Intensity Continuous TrainingBehavioural
An eight-week supervised running-based exercise program consisting of three sessions per week, for a total of 24 sessions. Sessions involved continuous running at a moderate intensity.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) | Experimental | Not described Receives: Behavioral: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) |
| Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) | Experimental | Not described Receives: Behavioral: Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training |
| Wait-List Control | No intervention | Not described |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Psychological Distress Measured by the 12-Item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12)
Psychological distress was assessed using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Higher total scores indicate greater psychological distress. Changes from baseline to the end of the eight-week intervention were compared across the three groups.
Measured: Baseline and 48-72 hours after the final exercise session following the eight-week intervention.Total scores range from 0 to 36, with higher scores indicating greater psychological distress.
Change in Self-Control Measured by the 9-Item Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS-9)
Self-control was assessed using the 9-item Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS-9). Higher scores indicate greater self-control. Changes from baseline to post-intervention were compared across the three groups.
Measured: Baseline and 48-72 hours after the final exercise session following the eight-week intervention.
Change in Emotion Regulation Measured by the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ)
Emotion regulation was assessed using the Turkish version of the 10-item Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ). Items are rated on a 7-point Likert scale. The questionnaire assesses cognitive reappraisal (six items) and expressive suppression (four items). Each subscale is scored separately as the mean of its items, ranging from 1 to 7. Higher scores indicate more frequent use of the respective strategy. No overall total score is calculated.
Measured: Baseline and 48-72 hours after the final exercise session following the eight-week intervention.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted4 Nov 2026
- Study start22 Sep 2025
- Primary completion22 Sep 2025
- Study completion17 Nov 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Psychological DistressStudies 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
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- This study used a three-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled design. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to high-intensity interval training, moderate-intensity continuous training, or a wait-list control group. Participants remained in their assigned groups throughout the eight-week study period.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Burcu Sıla SEZER
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Burcu Sıla SEZER, Bingol University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07917169
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- HIIT-MICT-2025-01
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 30 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 4 Nov 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Nov 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training on Psychological Distress and Self-Regulation in Insufficiently Active Male University Students
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07917169
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- HIIT-MICT-2025-01
- Keywords
- Mental health, Young adult, Exercise psychology, Psychological distress
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Burcu Sıla SEZERUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 22 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 22 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 17 Nov 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 4 Nov 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 study compared the effects of two running-based exercise programs on psychological distress, self-control, and emotion regulation in male university students who were not sufficiently physically active.
Thirty-six participants aged 18-25 years were randomly assigned to one of three groups: high-intensity interval training, moderate-intensity continuous training, or a wait-list control group. Both exercise programs lasted eight weeks and included three supervised sessions per week, for a total of 24 sessions. High-intensity interval training involved alternating periods of intense exercise and recovery, while moderate-intensity continuous training involved continuous exercise at a moderate intensity. The control group did not receive either exercise program during the study.
Participants completed questionnaires before and after the eight-week study period. The study examined whether changes in psychological distress, self-control, and emotion regulation differed among the three groups.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- This study used a three-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled design. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to high-intensity interval training, moderate-intensity continuous training, or a wait-list control group. Participants remained in their assigned groups throughout the eight-week study period.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) | Experimental | Behavioral: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) |
| Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) | Experimental | Behavioral: Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training |
| Wait-List Control | No intervention | – |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 25 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Male university students aged 18-25 years.
- No participation in structured exercise more than two days per week during the preceding six months.
- Less than 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week, assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF).
- Provision of written informed consent.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- A positive response on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q+) without physician approval.
- Known cardiovascular, metabolic, or respiratory disease, or a musculoskeletal injury limiting exercise.
- Initiation of psychiatric treatment or a change in psychotropic medication dose within the preceding three months.
- Plans to participate in another structured exercise program during the study period.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)An eight-week supervised running-based exercise program consisting of three sessions per week, for a total of 24 sessions. Sessions involved repeated bouts of high-intensity running alternated with recovery periods. | Behavioural | High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) |
| Moderate-Intensity Continuous TrainingAn eight-week supervised running-based exercise program consisting of three sessions per week, for a total of 24 sessions. Sessions involved continuous running at a moderate intensity. | Behavioural | Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) |
Primary outcome
Change in Psychological Distress Measured by the 12-Item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12)
Time frame: Baseline and 48-72 hours after the final exercise session following the eight-week intervention.Total scores range from 0 to 36, with higher scores indicating greater psychological distress.
Psychological distress was assessed using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Higher total scores indicate greater psychological distress. Changes from baseline to the end of the eight-week intervention were compared across the three groups.
Change in Self-Control Measured by the 9-Item Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS-9)
Time frame: Baseline and 48-72 hours after the final exercise session following the eight-week intervention.
Self-control was assessed using the 9-item Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS-9). Higher scores indicate greater self-control. Changes from baseline to post-intervention were compared across the three groups.
Change in Emotion Regulation Measured by the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ)
Time frame: Baseline and 48-72 hours after the final exercise session following the eight-week intervention.
Emotion regulation was assessed using the Turkish version of the 10-item Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ). Items are rated on a 7-point Likert scale. The questionnaire assesses cognitive reappraisal (six items) and expressive suppression (four items). Each subscale is scored separately as the mean of its items, ranging from 1 to 7. Higher scores indicate more frequent use of the respective strategy. No overall total score is calculated.
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 4 Nov 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes
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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. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training in people with Psychological Distress and Self-control, run by Burcu Sıla SEZER at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 4 inclusion and 4 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 4 Nov 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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?
Change in Psychological Distress Measured by the 12-Item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) (time frame: Baseline and 48-72 hours after the final exercise session following the eight-week intervention.Total scores range from 0 to 36, with higher scores indicating greater psychological distress.). The study lists 3 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 4 Nov 2026.