This study investigates how different types of aerobic exercise-specifically continuous treadmill running versus intermittent ball games-influence mental restoration in university students. The research introduces the concept of "Physical Ardor" (PA), a state of high-intensity physical engagement that may act as a "circuit breaker" for persistent self-narrative and stress. A total of 600 participants were assigned to four experimental groups to compare the effects of exercise intensity (moderate vs. high) and modality (continuous vs. intermittent). The study aims to determine whether high-intensity physical ardor can trigger a "State Anattā Experience" (a psychological state of "no-self" and tranquility) and subsequently enhance psychophysiological release and recovery. Results from this study will provide new insights into how structured exercise can be used as an effective intervention for academic stress and mental fatigue.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
671
Participants engage in continuous running on a motorized treadmill. The protocol is designed to evaluate the psychological and physiological effects of steady-state exercise. Group A: 15 minutes of continuous running at a moderate intensity of 40-50% HRmax. Group C: 30 minutes of continuous running at a moderate intensity of 40-50% HRmax. Heart rate is monitored throughout to ensure compliance with the prescribed intensity zone.
Participants participate in high-intensity intermittent ball games (such as basketball or volleyball). This intervention focuses on the impact of "Physical Ardor" (PA) generated through high-intensity, fluctuating physical engagement. Group B: 30 minutes of intermittent activity at a high intensity exceeding 70% HRmax. Group C: 15 minutes of intermittent activity at a high intensity exceeding 70% HRmax. Exercise intensity is verified through both %HRmax data and the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE).
Wuhan Technical University
Wuhan, Hubei, China
Rating of Perceived Exertion
The Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale is a subjective measure of the intensity of physical effort. Participants rate their perceived exertion during exercise on a numerical scale ranging from 6 to 20. 6 represents "no exertion at all" (resting state). 20 represents "maximal exertion" (absolute limit). This scale provides a subjective counterpart to physiological heart rate. In this study, RPE is used to quantify the "mental volitional engagement" component of the Physical Ardor (PA) construct.
Time frame: Immediately post-intervention (0-2 minutes after the end of exercise)
%HRmax
%HRmax is an objective physiological metric used to quantify the relative cardiovascular intensity of the exercise intervention. It is calculated by dividing the heart rate measured during exercise by the participant's predicted or measured maximum heart rate (HRmax). Estimated Maximum Heart Rate (HRmax) = 220 - Age (years). %HRmax = \[Average Heart Rate during Exercise / HRmax\] × 100%. Throughout the entire intervention session, participants' heart rate is monitored in real-time using a professional-grade wearable device (e.g., Polar H10 heart rate strap). The final reported value is the average %HRmax recorded across the full duration of the active exercise phase.
Time frame: Continuously during the active intervention session (average of approximately 15/30 minutes, from start to completion of exercise)
Salivary Alpha-Amylase
Salivary Alpha-Amylase (sAA) is a sensitive biochemical marker used to assess the response of the Sympathetic-Adrenomedullary (SAM) system to acute physical stress. In this study, sAA activity serves as an objective physiological validator of Physical Ardor (PA). The enzyme activity is measured in Units per Milliliter (U/mL). This marker helps validate the physiological stress level of the participant and its relationship with the State Anattā Experience (SAE).
Time frame: Baseline (collected 8-10 minutes prior to intervention, following an 8-minute quiet rest period) and Post-intervention (collected 5-6 minutes after the end of exercise).
Heart Rate Variability
Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is used to assess the cardiac autonomic regulation and the parasympathetic reactivation following physical exertion. HRV is recorded via a high-resolution wearable heart rate monitor (e.g., Polar H10). The primary metric reported is the Root Mean Square of Successive Differences (RMSSD), which reflects vagal tone. To ensure data quality, measurements are taken in a controlled, seated position. This marker serves to evaluate the physiological recovery component of the Psychophysiological Release and Recovery Index (PRRI).
Time frame: Baseline (collected 8-10 minutes prior to intervention, following a quiet rest period) and Post-intervention recovery (collected 12-20 minutes after the end of exercise).
De-identification
De-identification measures the cognitive shift where an individual temporarily detaches from their personal identity and social roles during high-intensity physical activity. This scale assesses three key psychological facets: 1.Social Role Suspension: The cessation of awareness regarding specific social labels (e.g., "student," "professional"). 2.Narrative Label Offline: The perceived meaninglessness of personal history, past achievements, or failures in the moment of exertion. 3.Pure Existential Awareness: The transition from a social-defined persona to a state of pure existential being.This process is hypothesized to facilitate psychophysiological recovery by "silencing" self-referential stress and narrative-driven anxiety. Average score on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree to 5 = Strongly Agree).
Time frame: Immediately post-intervention (collected 2-5 minutes after the end of exercise, reflecting on the moment of maximum intensity).
Cessation of Self-Narrative
Cessation of Self-Narrative (Subscale of State Anattā Experience Index). This subscale measures the temporary suspension of internal dialogue and self-evaluative thoughts during peak physical exertion. The scale evaluates the "cognitive silencing" effect across three domains: 1.Silence of Inner Voice: The reduction of internal monologue due to high task demands. 2.Absence of Self-Observation: The cessation of self-judgment and the "observer self." 3.Present-Moment Locking: The narrowing of attentional focus solely to immediate physical movement. The significance of this measure lies in identifying the threshold at which physical intensity overrides the brain's default mode network (DMN), effectively halting the self-referential narratives that often sustain psychological stress. Average score on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree to 5 = Strongly Agree).
Time frame: Immediately post-intervention (collected 2-5 minutes after the end of exercise, reflecting on the moment of maximum intensity).
Loss of Agency
The Loss of Agency subscale of the State Anattā Experience Index (SAEI) operationalizes the phenomenological transition from volitional motor control to perceived automaticity during peak physical exertion. This construct delineates the emergence of "autonomic flow" via three dimensions: Automatic Movement (instinctive response to intensity), Withdrawal of the 'Commander' (cessation of explicit motor commands), and Being an Observer (detached witnessing of action). Centrally, this scale captures the dissolution of the "executive self," a shift that optimizes psychophysiological recovery by attenuating the cognitive load inherent in volitional control, thereby fostering mental release and neural efficiency. Data are quantified via a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree; 5 = Strongly Agree).
Time frame: Immediately post-intervention (collected 2-5 minutes after the end of exercise, reflecting on the moment of maximum intensity).
Dissolution of Boundaries
The Dissolution of Boundaries subscale of the State Anattā Experience Index (SAEI) operationalizes the sensory-spatial integration of self, body, and environment during peak exertion. This construct delineates a phenomenological collapse across three strata: Instrumental Integration (erasure of the body-equipment gap), Environmental Permeability (loss of somatic-spatial demarcation), and Subject-Object Synthesis (unification of self and surroundings). Representing the apex of the "Anattā" (Non-Self) state, this dimension replaces ego-centered spatial frames with holistic awareness. By attenuating the cognitive load of spatial monitoring, this shift fosters profound mental release. Data are quantified via a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree; 5 = Strongly Agree).
Time frame: Immediately post-intervention (collected 2-5 minutes after the end of exercise, reflecting on the moment of maximum intensity).
Loss of Time Perception
Loss of Time Perception (Subscale of State Anattā Experience Index). This subscale measures the subjective distortion and suspension of temporal awareness during peak physical exertion. The scale assesses the phenomenological shift in time perception through three specific facets: 1.Loss of Temporal Tracking: The complete loss of the ability to monitor the duration of the exercise. 2.Time Compression: The sensation that time is "shrinking" or passing significantly faster compared to normal daily life. 3.Absolute Presence: The dissolution of the distinction between "past" and "future," replaced by a continuous sense of the "now." This dimension is significant because it indicates a deep immersion in the task where the brain's executive monitoring of time is bypassed, facilitating a psychological release from the pressure of duration and contributing to the overall State Anattā Experience. Average score on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree to 5 = Strongly Agree).
Time frame: Immediately post-intervention (collected 2-5 minutes after the end of exercise, reflecting on the moment of maximum intensity).
Sense of Relief
Sense of Relief (Subscale of Psychophysiological Release and Recovery Index, PRRI). This subscale assesses the immediate psychological and physical release experienced during the post-exercise recovery phase. The measure evaluates three facets of post-stress recovery: 1.Mental Space: The perception of a refreshed and clear mind, characterized by the "purging" of mental clutter. 2.Stress Detachment: A subjective sense of detachment from prior stressors, where they are no longer perceived as immediate threats. 3.Physical Release: A profound sensation of tension release throughout the body, described as the lifting of a physical burden. This dimension serves as a primary outcome to quantify the recovery efficacy of the State Anattā Experience (SAE). Average score on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree to 5 = Strongly Agree).
Time frame: Post-rest recovery (collected 10-12 minutes after the end of exercise, following the secondary HRV measurement window).
Equanimity & Pliability
Equanimity and Physical Pliability (Subscale of Psychophysiological Release and Recovery Index, PRRI). This subscale assesses the functional quality of recovery, focusing on emotional resilience and physical suppleness following the intervention. The measure evaluates three key facets of the recovered state: 1.Emotional Stability: The perception of being emotionally resilient and centered, characterized by a "grounded" state of mind resulting from physical exertion. 2.Physical Pliability: The sensation of the body being remarkably supple and fluid, where post-exercise relaxation has successfully replaced previous tension. 3.Inner Stillness: A state of profound inner quietness where thoughts remain undisturbed and still. This dimension quantifies the "rehabilitation" quality of the State Anattā Experience, moving beyond simple relief to a state of enhanced psychophysiological readiness. Average score on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree to 5 = Strongly Agree).
Time frame: Post-rest recovery (collected 10-12 minutes after the end of exercise, following the secondary HRV measurement window).
Cognitive Openness & Flexibility
Cognitive Openness and Flexibility (Subscale of Psychophysiological Release and Recovery Index, PRRI). This subscale measures the cognitive expansion and psychological flexibility attained during the post-intervention recovery phase. The assessment focuses on three cognitive domains: 1.Open Awareness: The feeling of being more mentally receptive and less driven by habitual defensive reactions toward others or the environment. 2.Perspective Shift: The ability to view life or personal problems from a broader perspective, transcending narrow self-concerns. 3.Cognitive Fluidity and Novelty: The reduction of mental rigidity, facilitating the embrace of new solutions or creative ideas. This dimension quantifies the "psychological growth" aspect of the recovery, indicating that the State Anattā Experience (SAE) leads to a more adaptive and less rigid cognitive state. Average score on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Strongly Disagree to 5 = Strongly Agree).
Time frame: Post-rest recovery (collected 10-12 minutes after the end of exercise, following the secondary HRV measurement window).
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