This exploratory randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the immediate and long-term effects of exercise on sleep quality, emotional problems, executive function, and neurophysiological characteristics in college students with depressive symptoms. The study consists of two sequential phases: an acute exercise experiment followed by an 8-week exercise intervention. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an exercise intervention group or a control group. Psychological questionnaires, behavioral tasks, resting-state electroencephalography (EEG), brain functional connectivity, and event-related potentials (ERP) will be assessed to evaluate behavioral and neurophysiological changes before and after exercise. The study will further examine whether the immediate response to acute exercise predicts the effectiveness of the long-term intervention.
Inclusion Criteria:
• Aged 18-23 years.
Exclusion Criteria:
Vigorous physical exercise, alcohol consumption, caffeine intake, or other stimulating behaviors within 24 hours before testing.
zhuyongguo@cupes.edu.cn+86 13811265116
Participants assigned to this group will first complete one supervised session of low-to-moderate intensity archery exercise and will subsequently participate in an 8-week regular archery exercise program. The acute exercise session consists of a 5-minute warm-up, 20 minutes of archery exercise, and a 5-minute cool-down. The 8-week intervention will be conducted three times per week, with at least 48 hours between sessions. Exercise intensity will be maintained at 50%-75% of age-predicted maximum heart rate and monitored using heart rate and ratings of perceived exertion. Psychological questionnaires, behavioral tasks, resting-state EEG, and task-related ERP assessments will be completed before and after the acute session and before and after the 8-week intervention.
Participants assigned to this group will complete an equal-duration seated rest or non-exercise control activity during the acute experiment. During the subsequent 8-week period, participants will maintain their usual lifestyle and attend the laboratory three times per week at the same scheduled times as the exercise group to complete 30 minutes of seated rest or another non-exercise control activity. Psychological questionnaires, behavioral tasks, resting-state EEG, and task-related ERP assessments will be completed at the same assessment time points as those in the archery exercise group.
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