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This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of a regular weekly physical activity program versus a "Weekend Warrior" activity pattern on sleep quality, physical well-being, and mental well-being in sedentary university students. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the intervention groups or to a control group and assessed at baseline and after the intervention.
Sedentary behavior is a growing concern among university students and is associated with poor sleep quality, fatigue, and lower mental well-being. Physical activity interventions can improve these outcomes, but the optimal frequency and pattern of activity remain unclear. This randomized controlled trial will evaluate and compare the effects of a regular weekly physical activity schedule with those of a "Weekend Warrior" pattern, in which the recommended amount of exercise is concentrated in two sessions per week. Sedentary university students will be randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups or to a control group for an 8-10 week period. Sleep quality (measured by actigraphy), physical well-being, and mental well-being will be assessed before and after the intervention. The findings of this study may help to inform public health recommendations for physical activity patterns among young adults.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arm 1 - Regular Weekly Physical Activity | Experimental | Participants in this group will engage in structured physical activity sessions three times per week, each lasting 50 minutes, over a period of 8 weeks. The sessions include a combination of aerobic exercises, supervised by trained instructors. The goal is to distribute the recommended weekly activity evenly across the week. |
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| Arm 2 - Weekend Warrior Physical Activity | Experimental | Participants in this group will perform the same total weekly physical activity as Arm 1, but concentrated in 2 sessions during the weekend. Each session lasts approximately 75 minutes and includes aerobic exercises, supervised by the same trained instructors. |
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| Arm 3 - Control / No Intervention | No Intervention | Participants in this group will maintain their usual lifestyle without any structured physical activity intervention during the study period. After study completion, they may be offered the Regular Weekly physical activity program. |
| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Weekly Physical Activity Program | Behavioral | Structured physical activity sessions three times per week, 50 minutes each, over 8 weeks. Includes aerobic exercises, supervised by trained instructors. Goal is to distribute the recommended weekly activity evenly. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Sleep Efficiency (Actigraphy) | Sleep efficiency calculated as the ratio of total sleep time to time in bed, expressed as a percentage (%). ≥85% is considered good sleep, <85% indicates impaired sleep quality. Range: 0-100%. Higher percentages indicate better sleep efficiency. | Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 8) |
| Subjective Sleep Quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI) | Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index total score ranges 0-21. Score ≤5 indicates good sleep quality, >5 indicates poor sleep quality. Higher scores indicate worse sleep. | Baseline (Week 0) and End of Intervention (Week 8) |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Psychological Well-Being (WHO-5 Well-Being Index) | WHO-5 score ranges 0-25, converted to 0-100%. Higher scores indicate better well-being. Raw score <13 (<52%) suggests poor well-being. | Baseline (Week 0) and End of Intervention (Week 8) |
| Mental Health (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, DASS-21) |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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| Name | Role | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soumaya CHAABENE, PhD student | Contact | +216 22 699 019 | soumaya_chaabane@upsat.tn | |
| Soumaya CHAABENE, PhD student | Contact | +216 22 699 019 | mayassou115@gmail.com |
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Jihen JDIDI TRABELSI, Professor | Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, Tunisia | Study Director |
| Riadh DAHMEN, Professor | Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Sfax, TUNISIA | Study Director |
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Faculty of Health Sciences Sfax, Tunisia | Sfax | 3000 | Tunisia |
A decision on sharing individual participant data has not yet been made; plans will be determined after study completion and analysis.
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This randomized controlled trial uses a parallel-group design in which sedentary university students are randomly assigned to one of three groups: a regular weekly physical activity schedule group, a 'Weekend Warrior' physical activity group, or a control group. Each group participates concurrently throughout the 8-10 week intervention period. The parallel structure allows direct comparison of the effects of different physical activity patterns on sleep quality, mental well-being, and physical well-being.
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| Weekend Warrior Physical Activity Program | Behavioral | Same total weekly activity as Arm 1, but concentrated in 2 weekend sessions of 75 minutes each. Includes aerobic exercises, supervised by the same trained instructors. |
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DASS-21 measures depression, anxiety, and stress. Each subscale score ranges 0-42; higher scores indicate greater severity. |
| Baseline (Week 0) and End of Intervention (Week 8) |
| Perceived Fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale, FSS) | FSS is a 9-item questionnaire. Items scored 1-7; final score = mean (range 1-7). Higher scores indicate more severe fatigue. Score ≥4 indicates clinically significant fatigue. | Baseline (Week 0) and End of Intervention (Week 8) |
| Functional Endurance (6-Minute Walk Test, 6MWT) | 6-Minute Walk Test measures distance (meters) walked in 6 minutes along a flat corridor. Higher distance indicates better functional endurance. | Baseline (Week 0) and End of Intervention (Week 8) |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D007319 | Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders |
| D009043 | Motor Activity |
| D057185 | Sedentary Behavior |
| D000092862 | Psychological Well-Being |
| D005221 | Fatigue |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D020919 | Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic |
| D020920 | Dyssomnias |
| D012893 | Sleep Wake Disorders |
| D009422 | Nervous System Diseases |
| D001523 | Mental Disorders |
| D001519 | Behavior |
| D010549 | Personal Satisfaction |
| D012816 | Signs and Symptoms |
| D013568 | Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms |
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