Breathwork versus mindfulness for breathing, heart rate variability, and running speed in recreational runners
Official title: The Effects of a Mindfulness Program on Running Performance, Respiratory Function, and Heart Rate Variability
Run by University of the Fraser Valley · NCT07521956 · Data updated 2026-11-12
We are testing whether doing a 20-minute daily Les Mills Breath program helps recreational runners improve breathing, heart rate variability, and self-selected running speeds more than doing a 20-minute guided meditation.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 19 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of the Fraser Valley Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Chilliwack, British Columbia) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 19, 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 2026 |
| Study ends | December 2026 |
| Registry record updated | April 13, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07521956 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal participants are recreational runners who regularly run 30 to 520 minutes per week and can pass the Get Active Questionnaire for safe participation.
✕Probably not a fit
People who do not run regularly, who run more than 520 minutes per week, or who cannot safely engage in exercise are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Participants who are regular recreational runners will be assigned to perform a 20-minute daily Les Mills Breath program or a 20-minute guided mindfulness meditation control. Researchers will measure changes in respiratory function, heart rate variability (as an indicator of parasympathetic recovery), and self-selected running speeds at relative moderate and vigorous intensities. Eligibility requires passing the Get Active Questionnaire and running between 30 and 520 minutes per week, with the study conducted at a single site. The trial compares the two daily interventions over the study period to see which approach produces greater physiological and performance changes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the breathwork program could help recreational runners breathe more efficiently, improve recovery via higher heart rate variability, and run faster at the same effort levels.
How similar studies have gone: Prior breath-training and breathing-intervention studies have shown mixed but promising effects on respiratory efficiency and heart rate variability, while evidence specific to the Les Mills Breath program is limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Must pass the Get Active Questionnaire to assess physical activity risk * Must regularly engage in recreational running for between 30 and 520 minutes per week Exclusion Criteria: * Running more than 520 minutes per week
Where it's running
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University of the Fraser Valley
Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Gillian Hatfield, PhD — University of the Fraser Valley
- Study coordinator: Gillian Hatfield, PhD
- Email: gillian.hatfield@ufv.ca
- Phone: 1 604-504-7441
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.