Physiological and Psychological Effects (DASS21-CORT)

The Effects of Short-term Motivational Factors and Calisthenic Exercise on Blood Cortisol Levels, and Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Young Adults

Stress-related mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and stress are common among young adults and are often linked to both psychological and physiological changes in the body. One of the key biological markers of stress is cortisol, a hormone released in response to stress. Elevated cortisol levels over time may negatively affect both mental and physical health. Although regular physical activity and relaxation-based approaches are known to reduce stress, it is not yet clear whether short-term, easily applicable interventions can produce measurable benefits, especially when motivational strategies and exercise are combined.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of short-term motivational factors and a single session of calisthenic exercise on blood cortisol levels and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in young adults. Motivational factors in this study include group-based activities, diaphragmatic breathing, and stretching exercises, which are designed to increase engagement and relaxation without requiring intense physical effort. Calisthenic exercise refers to bodyweight-based movements that can be performed without special equipment and are accessible to most individuals.

This randomized controlled trial compares three groups: one group receiving motivational factors followed by a single session of calisthenic exercise, a second group receiving motivational factors only, and a control group receiving no intervention. By measuring blood cortisol levels and self-reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress before and after the intervention, the study aims to determine whether these short-term interventions can lead to meaningful psychological and physiological improvements.

The main question this study seeks to answer is whether a brief, single-session intervention combining motivational strategies and calisthenic exercise is more effective than motivational strategies alone or no intervention in reducing stress hormone levels and psychological distress in young adults. Additionally, the study explores whether lifestyle and sociodemographic factors, such as exercise habits, sleep patterns, and perceived economic status, are associated with cortisol levels.

The findings of this study may help identify simple, low-cost, and time-efficient approaches that can be used to support stress management and mental well-being in young adult populations, particularly in university settings.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Healthy Young Adults
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Motivational factors; Other: Calisthenic exercise and Motivational factors

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 84
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Bingöl
    • Merkez, Bingöl, Turkey (Türkiye), 12000
      • Bingol University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Individuals who voluntarily agreed to participate.
• Individuals aged between 18 and 25 years.
• Individuals who had not engaged in regular exercise (at least three days per week) within the past six months.
• Individuals with no diagnosed psychiatric disorder.
• Individuals with no chronic health condition.
• Individuals who did not use any substances.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals who did not agree to participate in the study.
• Individuals who completed the baseline (pre-intervention) assessment but did not complete the post-intervention assessment.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
No Intervention: Control; No intervention was applied to this group.
Experimental: MF group; Only motivational factors were applied to this group. As motivational factors, participants performed diaphragmatic breathing exercises and stretching exercises in groups.	Other: Motivational factors; A 15-minute motivational factors intervention was applied.
Experimental: MF+CE group; Motivational factors and calisthenic exercises were applied to this group. First, motivational factors were implemented in groups, followed by calisthenic exercises.	Other: Motivational factors; A 15-minute motivational factors intervention was applied.; Other: Calisthenic exercise and Motivational factors; Following a 15-minute motivational factors intervention, a 30-minute calisthenic exercise program was implemented.; Other Names: CE and MF

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
DASS-21	It is scored between 0 and 63. Higher scores indicate higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress.	Immediately before and immediately after the single 45-minute exercise session
Cortisol	Blood cortisol concentration will be measured in µg/dL using a standardized laboratory assay. A value of 17 µg/dL is considered a commonly used reference threshold, with values above this level generally indicating higher physiological stress and values below this level indicating lower physiological stress.	Immediately before the exercise session and 20 minutes after completion of the single exercise session

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Bingol University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): July 2, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): November 19, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): January 20, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 25, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 2, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): February 10, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 10, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 2, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Depression; Anxiety; Stress; Cortisol; Young adult; Calisthenic exercise; Motivational factors
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Anxiety Disorders; Depression
• Other Study ID Numbers: BAP-SHMYO.2025.001 (Other Grant/Funding Number: Bingol University)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Individual participant data will not be shared because the dataset contains sensitive personal and biological information, and data sharing was not included in the informed consent obtained from participants.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No