The YoungFitT project: Study protocol for a randomized mixed-methods trial of physical exercise and mind-body interventions, with or without virtual reality, in university students

Samira Rostami; Adrià Bermudo-Gallaguet; Neus Camins-Vila; Blai Ferrer-Uris; Albert Busquets; Mireia Ribera; Laura Coll; Jaime Gallego Vila; Ramon Oliva Martínez; Mel Slater; Gustavo Garcia Diez; Nazareth Perales Castellanos; Mar Larrosa; Jofre Bielsa-Pascual; Pere Torán-Montserrat; Olga Bruna Rabassa; Myriam Guerra-Balic; Kirk I Erickson; Belinda Brown; Maria Mataró Serrat

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0328538

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The YoungFitT project: Study protocol for a randomized mixed-methods trial of physical exercise and mind-body interventions, with or without virtual reality, in university students

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The YoungFitT project: Study protocol for a randomized mixed-methods trial of physical exercise and mind-body interventions, with or without virtual reality, in university students

Samira Rostami, Adrià Bermudo-Gallaguet, Neus Camins-Vila, Blai Ferrer-Uris, Albert Busquets, Mireia Ribera, Laura Coll, Jaime Gallego Vila, Ramon Oliva Martínez, Mel Slater, …

PloS one, Vol.20(8), e0328538

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0328538

PMID: 40748900

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Abstract

Background Mental health issues among young university students have increased in recent years, driven by academic stress and sedentary lifestyles. The YoungFitT Project aims to explore well-being strategies and the psychobiological mechanisms behind their effects on university students. The project includes two studies: the first evaluates the effectiveness of High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and Qigong (QG) on psychological well-being and cognitive functions, and also explores whether socio-demographic, mental (mindful thinking, sleep quality), physical (physical fitness, physical activity), physiological (heart rate variability), and biological (microbiota) factors mediate or moderate intervention effects on university students. Given that immersive virtual reality (VR) can enhance adherence and provide additional benefits, the second study will explore the feasibility and efficacy of HIFT-VR, MBSR-VR, and QG-VR on university students’ psychological well-being and cognitive functions. Methods Two mixed-methods randomized controlled trials will be conducted. In Study 1, participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups (HIFT, MBSR, QG) using a 1:1:1 ratio. Psychological, cognitive, physical, physiological, and biological measures will be evaluated two weeks before and after the interventions. The interventions include three weekly sessions for 12 weeks. Subsequently, a follow-up will be conducted 12 weeks after the intervention to assess psychological well-being. Study 2 is a proof-of-concept study in which VR interventions will be co-designed with input from university students and professionals. Twelve participants from each study will also complete semi-structured interviews to explore their experiences and perceived impact. Discussion The proposed interventions are expected to produce differential effects on psychological well-being and cognitive function. VR environments may enhance adherence and offer added benefits over conventional training. Findings will inform effective, personalized strategies for the mental and physical health of university youth.

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Title: The YoungFitT project: Study protocol for a randomized mixed-methods trial of physical exercise and mind-body interventions, with or without virtual reality, in university students
Authors/Creators: Samira Rostami - Universitat de Barcelona
Adrià Bermudo-Gallaguet - Universitat de Barcelona
Neus Camins-Vila - Institut Nacional d'Educació Física de Catalunya
Blai Ferrer-Uris - Institut Nacional d'Educació Física de Catalunya
Albert Busquets - Institut Nacional d'Educació Física de Catalunya
Mireia Ribera - Universitat de Barcelona
Laura Coll - Universitat de Barcelona
Jaime Gallego Vila - Faculty
Ramon Oliva Martínez - Faculty
Mel Slater - Universitat de Barcelona
Gustavo Garcia Diez - Nirakara Lab, Extraordinary Chair in Mindfulness and Cognitive Science, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Nazareth Perales Castellanos - Nirakara Lab, Extraordinary Chair in Mindfulness and Cognitive Science, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Mar Larrosa - Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Jofre Bielsa-Pascual - Primary Health Care
Pere Torán-Montserrat - Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute, Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, Badalona, Spain
Olga Bruna Rabassa - Faculty
Myriam Guerra-Balic - Universitat Ramon Llull
Kirk I Erickson - University of Pittsburgh
Belinda Brown - Murdoch University
Maria Mataró Serrat - Universitat de Barcelona
Publication Details: PloS one, Vol.20(8), e0328538
Publisher: Public Library of Science
Number of pages: 22
Identifiers: 991005800273507891
Murdoch Affiliation: Research and Innovation Office; Centre for Healthy Ageing
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 1 Clinical & Life Sciences; 1.21 Psychiatry; 1.21.1179 Mindfulness and Mental Health
Web Of Science research areas: Psychology, Multidisciplinary
ESI research areas: Psychiatry/Psychology