Effects of HIIT and MICT Training on Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Testosterone/Cortisol Ratio, and … (NCT07397702) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Effects of HIIT and MICT Training on Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Testosterone/Cortisol Ratio, and Mental Health in Young Adults
76 participantsStarted 2026-05-25
Plain-language summary
This study will use a randomized, double-blind clinical trial to evaluate the effects of eight-week HIIT and MICT exercise programs on cardiorespiratory fitness, the testosterone/cortisol ratio, and mental health in 68 healthy, moderately active young adults aged 18 to 21. Participants will be assigned to parallel groups based on their sex and training type (HIIT men, HIIT women, MICT men, MICT women). The key metrics will be measured both before and after the intervention period to assess the impact of the different training regimens.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 21 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria:
* Men and women aged 18 to 21.
* Lead a sedentary or moderately active lifestyle (IPAQ ≤600 METs-min/week).
* Subjects diagnosed by a physician as fit for physical exercise.
* Informed consent form signed by the study subjects.
Exclusion criteria:
* Subjects with any motor disability.
* Pregnant women.
* Subjects with metabolic disorders.
* Subjects with chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, emphysema, or cancer, obstructive pulmonary disease.
* Subjects with high blood pressure or arrhythmia.
* Failure to sign the informed consent form.
* Subjects who are in a high-performance physical training program.
* Women with irregular menstrual cycles who take contraceptive medication to regulate their menstrual cycle.
* Consumption of caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco or use of electronic cigarettes.
* Subjects with a cyclical diagnosis of anxiety and depression by a specialist.
* Frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages (more than 7 drinks per week for women and more than 14 drinks per week for men) or a history of excessive alcohol consumption.
* Subjects who consume dietary supplements (caffeine, nitric oxide precursors, beta-alanine, creatine, sodium bicarbonate, or L-carnitine).
Elimination criteria:
* Voluntary withdrawal from the study.
* Attendance at less than 80% of intervention sessions.
* Incomplete measurement schedule or insufficient sample size.
* Joint or muscle injuries caused by the training program.
* Overtraining syndrome.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Symptoms of anxiety from baseline to eight weeks.
Timeframe: Baseline and week 8 of training.
2
Symptoms of depression from baseline to eight weeks.