THE EFFECT OF A BREATHING AND PROGRESSIVE MUSCLE RELAXATION PROGRAM

This non-randomized controlled study evaluates a 10-week breathing and myofascial release program in university athletes. The intervention group receives structured training, while the control group receives only an informational brochure.

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Key information

Conditions

Breathing Exercises Behavior PROGRESSIVE MUSCLE RELAXATION EXERCISES Personal Satisfaction Psychological Well-Being

Age range

18 month and older

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

About this study

This study is designed as an experimental intervention trial. The intervention group will consist of players from the Marmara University American Football Team, while the control group will include players from the Boğaziçi University American Football Team. The intervention will be conducted over a 10-week period and will include a total of eight sessions.

The intervention program will comprise diaphragmatic breathing techniques, including box breathing, diaphragmatic breathing, deep breathing, and vagal stimulation, as well as self-myofascial release techniques applied using a foam roller. The program has been developed through a multidisciplinary collaboration involving a physiotherapist, a specialist physician, and a coach. Adherence to the exercise program will be monitored using structured exercise diaries.

The control group will receive only an informational brochure describing the content of the training program, without any structured practical training.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

Being between the ages of 18 and 24
Being male
Currently actively participating in an American football team
Volunteering to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

Use of antiepileptic, antipsychotic, antidepressant, hormonal, or hypnotic medications Not volunteering to participate in the study

Treatment and study plan

Integrated Breathing-Myofascial Program

Behavioral

Participants in the intervention group underwent the Integrated Diaphragmatic Breathing, Vagal Stimulation, and Self-Myofascial Release Training Program (IDBVS-MRTP) over a 10-week period. The program consisted of eight sessions delivered in a hybrid format, including four face-to-face sessions, three online sessions, and one telephone follow-up.The intervention included diaphragmatic breathing techniques (box breathing, deep breathing, and vagal stimulation) and self-myofascial release exercises using a foam roller. Adherence was monitored using structured exercise diaries. The control group received only an informational brochure without structured training.

Primary outcomes

Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index,

Time frame: Measurements will be collected at baseline (month 0) and at the end of the 10th week.

Sleep quality will be assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), a validated questionnaire with scores ranging from 0 to 21, where higher scores indicate worse sleep quality.
Ryff Psychological Well-Being Scale

Time frame: Measurements will be collected at baseline (month 0) and at the end of the 10th week.

Psychological well-being will be measured using the Ryff Psychological Well-Being Scale. Higher scores indicate better psychological well-being.

Secondary outcomes

Correlation Between Change in Sleep Quality (PSQI Score) and Training Intensity

Time frame: Measurements will be collected at baseline (month 0) and at the end of the 10th week.

Sleep quality will be assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Training intensity will be recorded based on weekly training frequency and duration. Correlation between changes in PSQI scores and training intensity will be analyzed.
Correlation Between Change in Sleep Quality (PSQI Score) and Program Adherence

Time frame: Measurements will be collected at baseline (month 0) and at the end of the 10th week.

Program adherence will be measured as the percentage of completed intervention sessions. Sleep quality will be assessed using PSQI. Correlation analysis will be performed between adherence rate (%) and PSQI score change.
Correlation Between Change in Psychological Well-Being (Ryff Scale) and Program Adherence

Time frame: Measurements will be collected at baseline (month 0) and at the end of the 10th week.

Psychological well-being will be assessed using the Ryff Psychological Well-Being Scale. Higher scores indicate better well-being. Program adherence will be recorded as a percentage. Correlation analysis will be performed.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

lacin aksoy

CONTACT

[email protected]

00905543969627

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Marmara University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

THE EFFECT OF A BREATHING AND PROGRESSIVE MUSCLE RELAXATION PROGRAM ON SLEEP QUALITY AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL_BEING IN UNIVERSITY ATHLETES: A NON- RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED INTERVENTION STUDY

Important dates

Study start: 2026
Primary completion: 2026
Study completion: 2026
First posted: Apr 28, 2026
Registry last updated: Apr 28, 2026

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.

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