This Study Explores Whether Adding Natural Elements Like Plants and Sunlight to Indoor Gyms Makes Exercise Feel Easier, More Enjoyable, and Improves Performance. By Comparing Workouts in Nature-inspired and Plain Gym Settings, it Aims to Find Better Ways to Design Fitness Spaces in Cities.

Colorado State University (CSU)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Biophilic Environmental Design; Traditional Exercise Design

Treatments: Other: Exercise Environment

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06928311

6530

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this observational study is to examine whether exercising in a biophilic environment - a space designed to include natural elements like real plants, simulated sunlight, nature sounds, and outdoor views - can improve exercise performance and enjoyment compared to a standard indoor gym environment in male college students age 18-25 who have regularly exercised prior.

The main question it aims to answer is: "Can biophilic design enhance the physical and mental benefits of indoor exercise?"

Researchers will compare the two environments to see if there is any changes in exercise performance and enjoyment for each participant.

Participants will complete a treadmill fitness test in both settings to compare physical outcomes like maximal aerobic capacity, so the maximal amount of oxygen one can use during exercise, as well as perceived effort. After each treadmill test participants will be given surveys where they will be asked to evaluate their mood and enjoyment in that environment.

Enrollment: 25 patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 18 to 25 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Men between 18 and 25 years

Exclusion criteria

• Resting BP greater than 140/90
• Resting HR greater than 100 bpm
• BMI greater than 30 kg/m^2
• inability to exercise at moderate to vigorous intensities
• major illness/health complication in the past

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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25 participants in 2 patient groups

Biophilic Design

Experimental group

Description:

The exercise environment will be designed with nature elements, real and artificial plants, a landscape wall paper, simulated sunlight, and nature sounds.

Treatment:

Other: Exercise Environment

Traditional Exercise Environment

Experimental group

Description:

The exercise environment will be designed like a traditional indoor gym setting. With a treadmill at the center and no other purposeful design elements.

Treatment:

Other: Exercise Environment