Key result
A ten-minute workout with or without expectation manipulation significantly reduced acute perceived stress compared to control (d=-1.15 and d=-0.91), with no additional benefit from manipulation.
Why the study?
Although acute psychological benefits of physical activity may be enhanced by manipulating expectations, it was unclear whether this applies to acute stress reduction after a brief workout.
Does a brief workout with or without expectation manipulation reduce acute stress in students?
RCT (n=121)
Randomized
Does a brief workout with or without expectation manipulation reduce acute stress in students?
Effect estimate: d=-1.15 (PA+EM vs CG); d=-0.91 (PA vs CG)
A brief 10-minute workout significantly reduces acute perceived stress in students, but manipulating expectations provides no additional benefit.
Supports brief workouts for acute stress relief in students; confirms exercise efficacy independent of expectation manipulation.
Single physical activity (PA) bouts may have an immediate positive effect on perceived stress. Overall, acute psychological benefits of PA may be enhanced by manipulating expectations but it is unclear, whether this also applies to acute stress. This study aimed to investigate whether a brief workout can reduce acute stress and whether manipulating expectations can enhance this effect in a student sample. Furthermore, associated factors with the stress‑reduction of PA were analyzed. In an online trial with randomized group allocation, 121 participants completed a ten‑minute workout (PA), a ten‑minute workout following expectation manipulation (PA+EM), or a control intervention (CG). Data on acute perceived stress, student burnout, longer‑term stress experience, and habitual PA were collected via questionnaires before and after the intervention. Analysis of covariance indicated that after the intervention, PA+EM (d=‑1.15) and PA (d=‑0.91) showed significantly lower values in acute perceived stress than CG, while PA groups did not differ (d=‑0.24). Exploratory analyses revealed that students with lower burnout efficacy scores benefited more from the workout than those with higher scores. Although the manipulation had no additional effect, the results suggest that a brief workout can strongly reduce perceived stress and may therefore be a suitable coping strategy for students.
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Hösl et al. (2024) conducted an RCT in Acute stress (n=121). Ten-minute workout with or without expectation manipulation vs. Control intervention was evaluated on Acute perceived stress (d=-1.15 (PA+EM vs CG); d=-0.91 (PA vs CG)). A ten-minute workout with or without expectation manipulation significantly reduced acute perceived stress compared to control (d=-1.15 and d=-0.91), with no additional benefit from manipulation.
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