Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT07521956

The Effects of a Mindfulness Program on Running Performance, Respiratory Function, and Heart Rate Variability

Broadly, the objective of the research is to evaluate the effectiveness of a specific breathwork program (Les Mills Breath) on various physiological variables related to running performance, compared to a mindfulness control (20 minutes of guided meditation). There are three specific research questions: 1) Does daily participation in a 20-minute breathwork program improve respiratory function more than a mindfulness control intervention? 2) Does daily participation in a 20-minute breathwork program improve heart rate variability (an indicator of parasympathetic nervous system activity which is associated with enhanced exercise recovery) more than a mindfulness control intervention? 3) Does daily participation in a 20-minute breathwork program increase self-selected running speeds at relative moderate and vigorous intensities more than a mindfulness control intervention? The intended outcomes of the current research are to contribute to the field of research which has examined various forms of "respiratory training" and their effects on athletic performance, specifically running. While certain training protocols have been shown to be effective, there are issues of accessibility which persist. Methods of respiratory training/breathwork which are more easily available to recreational athletes are understudied with regards to running performance, hence the current research.

Recruiting

Interested in participating?

Request Info

Key information

Conditions

Respiratory Function Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Respiration Disorders Respiratory Aspiration Respiratory Tract Diseases Runners

Age range

19 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of the Fraser Valley

Chilliwack, British Columbia, V2R0N3, Canada

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Gillian Hatfield, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

1 604-504-7441 ext. 2217

Gillian Hatfield, PhD

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Must pass the Get Active Questionnaire to assess physical activity risk
  • Must regularly engage in recreational running for between 30 and 520 minutes per week

Exclusion criteria

  • Running more than 520 minutes per week

Treatment and study plan

Mindful meditation

Behavioral

20-minute, video-based mindful meditation focusing on relaxation

Breathwork

Behavioral

20-minute, video-based meditation focusing on breathwork: physiological sigh, cyclic breathing with breath holds, resonant frequency breathing

Primary outcomes

  1. Preferred running speed at moderate intensity

    Time frame: From baseline to followup (4 weeks later)

    Following a warmup, the speed on a treadmill will be increased until the participant signals that an exertion level of 12/20 is reached on the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale, corresponding to moderate intensity and feeling "somewhat hard". The participant will run at this intensity for five minutes. The speed will be blinded to the participant throughout the data collection, encouraging them to rely on physical cues of exertion.

  2. Preferred running speed at vigorous intensity

    Time frame: From baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)

    Following the five minutes running at 12/20 (moderate) intensity, the speed will again be increased until a subjective exertion level of 16/20 (vigorous, and feeling "very hard") is reached. The subject will continue running at this intensity for 5 minutes. The running speed at each phase will be noted by the researcher.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Waking heart rate variability

    Time frame: Baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)

    Participants will use a heart rate monitor (Polar chest strap) and the Elite HRV app to measure waking heart rate variability (RMSDD) for 3 minutes each morning for 6 days after the baseline appointment, and for 6 days leading up to the follow-up appointment.

  2. Forced Vital Capacity

    Time frame: Baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)

    Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) is the total amount of air a person can forcibly exhale from their lungs after taking the deepest breath possible. It is measured using a spirometer.

  3. Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1)

    Time frame: Baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)

    FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second) measures the maximum amount of air you can forcibly exhale in the first second of a breath. It is measured using spirometry.

  4. Peak Expiratory Flow rate (PEFR)

    Time frame: Baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)

    PEFR (Peak Expiratory Flow Rate) measures the maximum speed of air exhaled from the lungs. It is measured using a spirometer.

  5. Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV)

    Time frame: Baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)

    Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV) is a pulmonary function test that measures the maximum volume of air a person can inhale and exhale over 12 seconds, reported in liters per minute (L/min). It is measured using spirometry.

  6. Recovery heart rate variability

    Time frame: Baseline to follow-up (4 weeks after baseline)

    This is the heart rate variability (measured using a chest strap and the Elite HRV app) obtained during the last 3 minutes of 10 minutes of quiet lying after the running trials.

Study contacts

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

Gillian Hatfield, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

1 604-504-7441 ext. 2217

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of the Fraser Valley

Other

Collaborators

  • Les Mills International

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Apr 13, 2026
Registry last updated
Apr 13, 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.

Related clinical trials

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