How Short-Term Aerobic Exercise Affects Stress and Mood in Students

This study was conducted to understand how short-term aerobic exercise affects mood and stress in university students. The research focused on healthy male and female students between the ages of 18 and 25. Participants were asked to complete two questionnaires: one to measure their mood and another to assess their stress levels. These questionnaires were filled out before, immediately after, and at several intervals up to 24 hours after a single session of aerobic exercise.The goal was to see whether exercise could quickly improve mood and reduce stress, and how long these effects might last. The study was carefully designed, and ethically approved. By focusing on immediate and short-term changes, the research highlights the potential benefits of exercise for mental well-being in young adults.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy Behavior Motor Activity Personal Satisfaction Psychological Well-Being

Age range

18 year–25 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Qassim University, in Qassim University Medical City, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

Buraidah, 51452, Saudi Arabia

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Healthy male and female students aged between 18 and 25 years.
Ability to speak and understand written English.

Exclusion criteria

Students who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Students who currently smoke.
Students who respond "yes" to any of the seven questions on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q).
Students taking medications for chronic diseases such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
Students with a current or past diagnosis of a psychotic disorder.

Treatment and study plan

Group Aerobic Exercise Session

Other

The Aerobic Exercise Program is designed to improve mood and reduce stress among university students through structured, moderate-intensity aerobic activities.

Session Structure: Participants engage in moderate-intensity aerobic exercises such as treadmill walking or running, tailored to individual fitness levels, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity. Each session consists of a 10-minute warm-up, 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, and a 5-minute cool-down.

This intervention incorporates a dual assessment approach using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) to evaluate mood and stress levels both before and after exercise. Participants complete these assessments multiple times, allowing for a nuanced understanding of how aerobic exercise influences mood and stress over time.

Primary outcomes

Improvement in Total Mood Disturbance Following Short-Term Aerobic Exercise in University Students

Time frame: TMD is assessed at eight time points: Before exercise (T0) Immediately after exercise (T1) At intervals: 1 hour (T2), 2 hours (T3), 4 hours (T4), 8 hours (T5), 12 hours (T6), and 24 hours post-exercise (T7).

Total Mood Disturbance (TMD):

Measured using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire.

Scores range from 0 to a maximum depending on the number of items (65 items rated on a 0-4 Likert scale, resulting in a theoretical range of 0 to 260).

A higher TMD score represents a worse overall mood outcome.
Perceived Stress Levels Following Short-Term Aerobic Exercise in University Students

Time frame: Assessed at two time points: Before exercise (T0) 24 hours after exercise (T7).

Perceived Stress Levels:

Measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Scores range from 0 to 40.

Higher scores indicate higher levels of perceived stress. Scores can be categorized as:

Low stress: 0-13 Moderate stress: 14-26 High stress: 27-40

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Qassim University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Investigating The Effect of Short-Term Aerobic Exercise on Stress and Mood Among Students

Acronym: SEAEM

Important dates

Study start: 2024
Primary completion: 2024
Study completion: 2024
First posted: May 22, 2025
Registry last updated: May 29, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed