Exercise Videos for Lack of Motivation

Overseen By Emilie G Huber

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Boston University Charles River Campus

Disqualifiers: Under 18, Anorexia, Suicidal ideation, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if watching different types of exercise videos can boost motivation to exercise. Researchers are comparing two videos: one emphasizes the mood benefits of exercise (Exercise for Mood video), and the other focuses on fitness benefits (Exercise for Fitness video). The study seeks Boston University PS101 students who often feel stressed and are comfortable using Zoom. Participants should be able to exercise without health concerns preventing them.

As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity for students to explore how different motivational strategies can enhance their exercise habits.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that these exercise videos are safe for participants?

Research has shown that exercise can lift mood and improve mental health. It reduces anxiety, depression, and stress, while also boosting self-esteem and brain function. Both the World Health Organization and the American Psychiatric Association recommend exercise for managing depression.

In this study, participants will watch videos that encourage exercise, either for mood improvement or fitness. These videos are not medicines or medical procedures; they simply offer various ways to motivate movement. Watching these videos is safe and poses no risks. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these exercise videos because they tackle the issue of motivation in a novel way. The "Exercise for Mood" video uniquely focuses on how exercise can immediately boost mood and improve mental health, which is different from traditional fitness programs that mainly highlight long-term physical benefits. On the other hand, the "Exercise for Fitness" video emphasizes overall physical health improvements, like cardiovascular health and calorie burning, while also suggesting a balanced approach involving both cardio and strength training. Unlike standard exercise programs, these videos provide a tailored motivational framework that could help people find personal reasons to stay active, potentially increasing adherence to regular exercise.

What evidence suggests that this trial's videos could be effective for increasing exercise motivation?

Research shows that physical activity can lift mood and reduce stress. Exercise releases brain chemicals that enhance well-being, aiding in managing everyday worries. Regular activity links to better mental health, addressing issues like depression and anxiety. Studies have consistently found that exercise improves sleep and reduces stress. In this trial, participants will watch either the Exercise for Mood video or the Exercise for Fitness video. The Exercise for Mood video may effectively encourage exercise by highlighting these mental health benefits. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for Boston University PS101 students aged 18 or older who feel stressed, as indicated by a score of at least 14 on the Perceived Stress Scale. Participants must be able to read English, use a computer or touch screen device, and have access to Zoom.

Inclusion Criteria

* Current PS101 student at Boston University

* A score of 14 or higher on the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)

* Able to read English to provide informed consent

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Phase 1

Participants consent to the study, complete initial assessments, and watch an 11-minute video on exercise motivation

1 day

1 virtual visit

Phase 2

Participants complete follow-up assessments and are debriefed on the study intent

10-20 days after Phase 1

1 virtual visit

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for exercise motivation and adherence

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Exercise for Fitness video
• Exercise for Mood video

Trial Overview

The study compares two types of motivational videos: one encourages exercise to improve mood, while the other promotes exercise for physical fitness. The aim is to see which video better motivates students to stick with an exercise routine.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Exercise for Mood video Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The Exercise for Mood intervention is an approximately 11-minute video shown to participants which presents a mood-based motivational frame for exercise and physical activity. Video content focuses on discussions related to the immediate mood benefits from exercise, longer-term cognitive and mental health benefits of exercise, effects of positive affect during exercise, and mood-centered strategies for engaging in regular physical activity, including exercising in diverse locations, exercising with friends, and exercising with music or audiobooks.

Group II: Exercise for Fitness video Active Control 1 Intervention

The Exercise for Fitness intervention is an approximately 11-minute video shown to participants which presents a fitness-based motivational frame for exercise and physical activity. Video content focuses on discussions related to the physical health effects of exercise, including cardiovascular health, increased calorie burning, and overall physical wellbeing. The video also includes recommendations for diversity of exercise, balancing cardiovascular and strength-training activities.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Boston University Charles River Campus

Lead Sponsor

Trials

125

Recruited

14,100+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Acute exercise and music listening can help improve cognitive performance in college students experiencing negative feelings after watching a video, suggesting these activities may counteract the cognitive decline caused by such negative affect.

While both interventions were effective for those affected by the video, only acute exercise improved cognitive performance in students who were not affected by the video, indicating its broader benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluating the Cognitive Effects of Video-Induced Negative Affect in College Students: A Comparative Study between Acute Exercise and Music Listening. Ji, C., Yang, J., Lin, L., et al.[2023]

In a 15-year inpatient treatment program for depression, patients who participated in physical fitness training three times a week for six to nine weeks showed significant improvements in fitness levels and reductions in depression scores.

More than half of the patients continued to exercise regularly one year after discharge, and they ranked physical fitness training as one of the most valuable components of their treatment, indicating its long-term benefits and safety with no serious complications reported.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Physical training as a therapeutic method in depression]. Martinsen, EW.[2008]

Exercise is an effective treatment option for a wide range of diseases, including psychiatric, neurological, metabolic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, musculoskeletal disorders, and cancer, as outlined in this comprehensive review.

The review discusses the mechanisms of action of exercise therapy and provides evidence-based recommendations for the optimal type and dosage of exercise for each specific disease, emphasizing its role as a form of medicine.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exercise as medicine - evidence for prescribing exercise as therapy in 26 different chronic diseases. Pedersen, BK., Saltin, B.[2022]

The 'Exercise without Worries' intervention, which combined physical exercise and psycho-education, did not show significant reductions in stress or depressive symptoms among low-SES women over the short or long term, based on a study of 161 participants.

However, women with fewer initial depressive symptoms or lower educational levels experienced some benefits from the exercise programs, suggesting that targeted exercise interventions may be effective for specific groups within disadvantaged populations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A randomized controlled trial of combined exercise and psycho-education for low-SES women: short- and long-term outcomes in the reduction of stress and depressive symptoms. van der Waerden, JE., Hoefnagels, C., Hosman, CM., et al.[2018]

In a study with 24 participants, combining music and video during treadmill running significantly improved psychological factors like motivation and positive feelings, especially at different exercise intensities.

The music-and-video condition led to the highest levels of distraction from exertion and the lowest perceived effort, suggesting that using both stimuli can enhance the exercise experience.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

See hear: psychological effects of music and music-video during treadmill running. Hutchinson, JC., Karageorghis, CI., Jones, L.[2022]

Exercise videos can help patients enhance their overall fitness from home, making it a convenient option for many individuals.

It's important for patients to choose exercise videos that are appropriate for their specific fitness levels to ensure safety and effectiveness in their workouts.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Eight Programs to Consider. Swank, AM.[2016]

A study involving 204 participants explored how multimedia exercise prompts, tailored to individuals' immediate mental and physical states, can enhance readiness to exercise, showing high self-efficacy and positive perceptions of the prompts.

Participants rated the quality of GIF exercise prompts highly, indicating they were clear and easy to understand, but further refinement is needed before these prompts can be effectively used to encourage actual exercise performance.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Determining Perceptions to Electronically-Delivered, Personally-Adaptive, Multimedia Exercise Prompts for Middle-Age Adults. Ferrara, PM., Schaltegger, ET., Beaumont, CT., et al.[2020]

Personalized audiovisual stimuli during exercise significantly improved psychological responses, such as reducing feelings of fatigue and enhancing positive emotions, in a study involving 24 adults with obesity.

Participants using sensory stimulation reported greater dissociative thoughts, which helped them focus less on exertion, suggesting that tailored audiovisual content can be beneficial during initial exercise sessions for individuals with obesity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of audiovisual stimuli on psychological and psychophysiological responses during exercise in adults with obesity. Bigliassi, M., Greca, JPA., Barreto-Silva, V., et al.[2019]

Acute aerobic exercise has been shown to improve psychological well-being and reduce psychological distress in individuals of varying weights, which may help lower the risk of future cardiovascular disease (CVD).

The review included 42 studies with 2187 participants, but it remains unclear which type of exercise—whether aerobic, resistance, or a combination—provides the best psychological benefits due to the limited number of studies on resistance exercise.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Psychological Responses to Acute Aerobic, Resistance, or Combined Exercise in Healthy and Overweight Individuals: A Systematic Review. Elkington, TJ., Cassar, S., Nelson, AR., et al.[2022]

A study involving 25 regular exercisers found that engaging in their preferred type of exercise significantly enhanced mood compared to their least-preferred type, indicating that personal preference plays a crucial role in the psychological benefits of exercise.

Both retrospective and prospective assessments showed that while preferred exercise modalities led to greater mood improvements, even exercising in less preferred modalities still resulted in significant mood enhancement, highlighting the overall positive impact of regular exercise on mental well-being.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Preferred modality influences on exercise-induced mood changes. Lane, AM., Jackson, A., Terry, PC.[2021]

University students enrolled in instructional physical activity courses showed a significant increase in physical activity levels and a notable reduction in negative mood compared to those not enrolled, highlighting the efficacy of such courses in improving mental health.

An increase in physical activity of at least 2 days per week was sufficient to significantly reduce negative mood, indicating that even moderate changes in activity can have a positive impact on mental well-being.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Instructional Physical Activity Courses on Overall Physical Activity and Mood in University Students. Annesi, JJ., Porter, KJ., Hill, GM., et al.[2017]

Moderate-intensity anaerobic exercise is particularly effective for improving mood, suggesting that the intensity of physical activity plays a crucial role in its mental health benefits.

A short duration of 10 to 30 minutes of exercise can lead to mood improvements, indicating that even brief physical activity can be beneficial for mental well-being.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Special Issue - Therapeutic Benefits of Physical Activity for Mood: A Systematic Review on the Effects of Exercise Intensity, Duration, and Modality. Chan, JSY., Liu, G., Liang, D., et al.[2019]

A structured physical exercise program did not significantly improve general health in patients with Stress-related Mental Disorder (SMD) after 6 weeks, as indicated by a negligible effect size of -0.06.

The study, which included 102 patients over a 12-week period, found no significant benefits in secondary outcomes such as days off work or distress scores, suggesting that this intervention may not be effective for recovery from SMD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exercise therapy for stress-related mental disorder, a randomised controlled trial in primary care. Quartero, AO., Burger, H., Donker, M., et al.[2021]

A 12-week home-based exercise program added to usual medical care did not significantly improve depression outcomes in 200 older adults, with remission rates being similar between the exercise group (63%) and the control group (59%).

The study found no improvement in objective fitness measures among participants in the exercise group, suggesting that the lack of supervision may have hindered compliance and engagement with the exercise program.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

ACTIVEDEP: a randomised, controlled trial of a home-based exercise intervention to alleviate depression in middle-aged and older adults. Pfaff, JJ., Alfonso, H., Newton, RU., et al.[2014]

In a study with 26 participants, exercise significantly improved mood, particularly reducing feelings of depression and confusion after two exercise sessions.

The first exercise session notably decreased depressed mood scores and increased fatigue, while the second session further reduced depressed mood, highlighting exercise as an effective intervention for improving mood.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mood changes following exercise. Lane, AM., Crone-Grant, D., Lane, H.[2004]

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9902068/

Role of Physical Activity on Mental Health and Well-Being

Physical activity was shown to help with sleep and improve various psychiatric disorders. Exercise in general is associated with a better mood and improved ...

2.

mayoclinic.org

mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/exercise-and-stress/art-20044469

Exercise and stress: Get moving to manage stress

Exercise in almost any form can act as a stress reliever. Being active can boost your feel-good endorphins and distract you from daily worries.

3.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1755296624000024

The efficacy of physical activity to improve the mental ...

There was consistent evidence of a reduction in psychological stress (3/3, 100% of RCTs) and improvement of sleep quality (3/4, 75%) following exercise compared ...

4.

bjsm.bmj.com

bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/18/1203

Effectiveness of physical activity interventions for improving ...

Physical activity is highly beneficial for improving symptoms of depression, anxiety and distress across a wide range of adult populations.

5.

frontiersin.org

frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1678367/full

The long-term mental health benefits of exercise training ...

Aerobic activity elevates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and serotonin, improving mood and stress resilience, while resistance ...

6.

apa.org

apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2013/exercise

Exercise: A healthy stress reliever

Studies show exercise can relieve stress, reduce depression and improve cognitive function.

7.

aetna.com

aetna.com/health-guide/exercise-to-improve-mood.html

Exercise to improve your mood - Fitness and Mental Health

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), exercise can ease depression. And the American Psychiatric Association (APA) recommends it as a treatment.

8.

youtube.com

youtube.com/watch?v=-wgZqMcgdZg

Joe Wicks: Exercises to boost YOUR mood! | Mental ...

A short high-intensity workout to boost your mood! Fitness coach Joe Wicks shares an exclusive HIIT workout. (If you're not used to ...

9.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1470658/

Exercise for Mental Health - PMC

Exercise improves mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and negative mood and by improving self-esteem and cognitive function.