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Running Environments on Physiological Responses, Emotion, Motivation, and Attention
Sponsor: Shanghai University of Sport
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn how different running environments affect physiological responses, emotional regulation, exercise motivation, and attentional control in healthy college students. The main questions it aims to answer are: How do different running environments (indoor treadmill, outdoor road, and outdoor grass) affect physiological stress and recovery, such as heart rate variability, blood pressure, cortisol, and blood lactate levels? Are there differences in subjective emotional experiences, perceived recovery, and exercise motivation when running in natural versus artificial environments? Does the running environment influence post-exercise cognitive performance, specifically inhibitory control and sustained attention? Researchers will compare indoor treadmill running, outdoor road running, and outdoor grass running to see if natural environments provide greater benefits for stress relief, mood improvement, and cognitive enhancement. Participants will: Attend three separate 70-minute experimental sessions (one for each environment) with at least 48 hours between sessions. Complete baseline physiological measurements (HRV, blood pressure, saliva, and blood samples), psychological questionnaires, and computerized cognitive tasks. Complete a 30-minute moderate-intensity running session in the randomly assigned environment while wearing a heart rate monitor. Repeat the physiological measurements, psychological questionnaires, and cognitive tasks immediately and 10 minutes after the running session.
Official title: Effects of Different Running Environments on Individual Physiological Responses, Emotion Regulation, Exercise Motivation, and Attentional Control
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 25 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
30
Start Date
2026-04-10
Completion Date
2026-06-10
Last Updated
2026-03-27
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Indoor Treadmill Running Session
20 minutes of moderate-intensity running on an indoor treadmill. Exercise intensity is monitored and controlled using heart rate devices to maintain a consistent moderate level.
Outdoor Road Running Session
20 minutes of moderate-intensity running on an outdoor athletic track (paved surface).
Outdoor Grass Running Session
20 minutes of moderate-intensity running on a natural grass surface.
Locations (1)
Shanghai University of Sport
Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China