20 Participants NeededMy employer runs this trial

Mindfulness Program for Running Performance

GH
Overseen ByGillian Hatfield, PhD
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: University of the Fraser Valley
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

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.

Who Is on the Research Team?

GH

Gillian Hatfield, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of the Fraser Valley

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in daily 20-minute sessions of either breathwork or mindfulness meditation

4 weeks
Daily sessions (self-administered)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in running performance, respiratory function, and heart rate variability

4 weeks
2 visits (in-person) for baseline and follow-up assessments

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • Les Mills Breath

How Is the Trial Designed?

2

Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: BreathworkExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group II: Mindful meditationActive Control1 Intervention

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of the Fraser Valley

Lead Sponsor

Trials
4
Recruited
290+

Les Mills International

Industry Sponsor