Journal Article

The YoungFitT project: Study protocol for a randomized mixed-methods trial of physical exercise and mind-body interventions, with or without virtual reality, in university students

Serrat, Maria Mataró, Larrosa, Mar, Bruna Rabassa, Olga, Garcia Diez, Gustavo, Torán-Montserrat, Pere, Erickson, Kirk I., Ribera, Mireia, Bielsa-Pascual, Jofre, Bermudo-Gallaguet, Adrià, Brown, Belinda, Busquets, Albert, Perales Castellanos, Nazareth, Coll, Laura, Slater, Mel, Guerra-Balic, Myriam, Ferrer-Uris, Blai, Oliva Martínez, Ramon, Camins-Vila, Neus, Rostami, Samira, Gallego Vila, Jaime

2025

Overview

Mental health issues among young university students have increased in recent years, driven by academic stress and sedentary lifestyles. The YoungFitT Project aims to explore well-being strategies and the psychobiological mechanisms behind their effects on university students. The project includes two studies: the first evaluates the effectiveness of High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and Qigong (QG) on psychological well-being and cognitive functions, and also explores whether socio-demographic, mental (mindful thinking, sleep quality), physical (physical fitness, physical activity), physiological (heart rate variability), and biological (microbiota) factors mediate or moderate intervention effects on university students. Given that immersive virtual reality (VR) can enhance adherence and provide additional benefits, the second study will explore the feasibility and efficacy of HIFT-VR, MBSR-VR, and QG-VR on university students' psychological well-being and cognitive functions. Two mixed-methods randomized controlled trials will be conducted. In Study 1, participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups (HIFT, MBSR, QG) using a 1:1:1 ratio. Psychological, cognitive, physical, physiological, and biological measures will be evaluated two weeks before and after the interventions. The interventions include three weekly sessions for 12 weeks. Subsequently, a follow-up will be conducted 12 weeks after the intervention to assess psychological well-being. Study 2 is a proof-of-concept study in which VR interventions will be co-designed with input from university students and professionals. Twelve participants from each study will also complete semi-structured interviews to explore their experiences and perceived impact. The proposed interventions are expected to produce differential effects on psychological well-being and cognitive function. VR environments may enhance adherence and offer added benefits over conventional training. Findings will inform effective, personalized strategies for the mental and physical health of university youth. www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT06406283; Registration date: 2024/05/06.

• Publisher: Public Library of Science,Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subject: Adolescent / Adult / Biology and Life Sciences / Cognition / Cognitive ability / College students / Colleges & universities / Computer and Information Sciences / Computer applications / Demographic aspects / Effectiveness / Engineering and Technology / Evaluation / Exercise / Exercise - psychology / Feasibility studies / Female / Health aspects / Heart rate / Humans / Immersive virtual reality / Male / Medicine and Health Sciences / Mental depression / Mental disorders / Mental Health / Mind and body therapies / Mind-Body Therapies - methods / Mindfulness / Mindfulness - methods / Patient outcomes / Physical activity / Physical exercise / Physical fitness / Physiological effects / Physiology / Psychological aspects / Psychological factors / Qigong / Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Social aspects / Social Sciences / Stress, Psychological / Students / Students - psychology / Study Protocol / Training / Universities / Virtual Reality / Well being / Young Adult