Effects of Circuit Training on Cardiopulmonary Fitness in Multi Drug Abusers

The aim of this research is to evaluate the effects of circuit training on cardiopulmonary fitness among the different categories of drug abusers. Randomized clinical trial is conducted in registered Drug Rehabilitation Center with Social Welfare Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Da Haq Awaz (Anti-Drugs Organization), Peshawar. The sample size is 60 participants (n=60). These participants were divided into two groups: Group A (n = 30) and Group B (n = 30). Study duration is of 6 months. Sampling technique applied was Non probability Purposive Sampling technique. Only male participants were included which age was 18-60 years with multi-drugs abusing. Tools used in the study are 6 Minute Walk Test, Step Test-VO2max, Spirometer Testing and Mini-Mental State Examination. Data was analyzed through SPSS 23.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Drug Use and Addiction
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Circuit Training Program; Other: Conventional Training Program

Detailed Description

Drug addiction is a chronic, frequent brain disorder caused by continuous abuse or use of addictive drugs such as cocaine, heroin, cannabis, methadone and methamphetamine etc. Long-term drug misuse affects a person's physical and mental health, changes the structure of the brain, and endangers public safety as well. In 2021, there were over 275 million drug users worldwide, according to the United Nations Office report on Drugs and Crime's (UNODC), World Drug Report 2021. This is a 22% increase from 2010 and estimated an 11% increase by 2030. There were about 500,000 drug-related deaths in 2019 recorded, 36 million drug-related mental health problems, and 18 million healthy lives lost as a result of serious drug use problems, according to the report. In order to improve cardiovascular fitness, body composition, and overall health in both young and old people, as well as the quality of life for patients suffering from diseases like diabetes, kidney disease, or cancer, several international associations have released guidelines for physical activity and exercise that suggest increasing maximal strength in addition to these other improvements. Resistance and endurance training are commonly performed simultaneously (i.e., concurrent training) as part of periodic training sessions in a variety of diseases and sports disciplines.

Resistance circuit-based training (CT), which encourages aerobic conditioning, muscular endurance and neuromuscular and strength adaptations in a single session, is now one of the most popular concurrent training techniques. Previously, CT has been suggested as an optional kind of training for individuals who are not trained nor have a lower baseline level of fitness because it can increase VO2max and upper body maximal strength. Public health initiatives aiming at preventing heart disease have gained medical attention as the worldwide burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to rise. Exercise is an independent and protective risk factor linked to blood pressure (BP), blood vessel function, and cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to clinical research conducted over the years(3). Athletes who participate in CT training report higher heart rates but similar strength requirements to those reported during a traditional strength-training session. Additionally, they report higher lactate concentrations and ratings of perceived exertion during CT, which are higher than during traditional strength-training. Furthermore, they report higher oxygen consumption during the session compared to both traditional strength-training and aerobic treadmill exercise.

Furthermore, compared to a conventional resistance training session or a treadmill exercise, higher excess post-exercise oxygen demand during the recovery has been found following CT. These CT traits are generally associated with the particular strength and aerobic adaptations as well as changes in body composition associated with this kind of training. Previous studies on cardiorespiratory fitness have shown improvements in VO2max and endurance performance.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 60
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Pakistan
  • Peshawar, Pakistan
    • Da Haq Awaz, Anti-drug Organization

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Participants meeting the below criteria, shall be recruited in the study:

• Those patients will be included who have completed acute detoxification period (15 days of Date of Admission) also the patients who were relapsed after 3 months of treatment and re-admitted.
• Only male participants will be included.
• Age of the participants will be 18 to 60 years old.
• Informed Consent will be taken from subjects or their legal guardians.
• Those participants will be included in the study that has complete relevant medical record (Multi Drug kit Report).
• Elderly drug abusers (Can perform 6 Minute Walk Test without complication)

Exclusion Criteria:

Following participants will be excluded from the study:

• Glaucoma disease or severe mental illness, or a history of epilepsy/seizures.
• Serious systemic disease in the past three months, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, diabetes and hypertension.
• Diagnosed cardiopulmonary disease
• Any neurological complication
• Those patients who having Hepatitis C Virus, HIV & Hepatitis B Virus will be excluded.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Group A; The 4 weeks Circuit Training program, it will be of 3 times per week. Each CT workout includes 6 stations per Circuit Training. Before the training period, all participants underwent an exercise familiarization session to ensure proper execution of technique. The CT exercises includes five times of high knee, three minute stair climbing, five repetitions of pushups, 10 time sit ups/crunches, right and left single leg stands for long time as they continued balance and 10 times squad thrusts among the 6 stations.	Other: Circuit Training Program; FREQUENCY: 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks (total 12 sessions) INTENSITY: Moderate to high intensity. Exercises involved (e.g., pushups, high knees, stair climbing) TIME: 45-60 minutes per session Each session includes 6 stations, with repetitions (e.g., 10 sit-ups, 10 squats/burpees, 3 min stair climbing) TYPE: High knees (x5), 3-minute stair climbing, 5 push-ups, Sit-ups/crunches (x10),Single-leg stands (right and left), Squad thrusts/burpees (x10)
Other: Group B; The Control Group will also receive the 4 weeks treatment program in which participants will receive educational sessions and lifestyle advice related to health and fitness but do not engage in a structured exercise program but will do just the traditional exercise such as walking.	Other: Conventional Training Program; FREQUENCY: 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks (total 12 sessions) INTENSITY: Low to moderate intensity Mostly educational and traditional walking-based TIME: 40-50 minutes per session Includes lifestyle modification sessions + physical activity (walking) TYPE: Conventional Training Program: Educational sessions, Health and lifestyle modification, Light aerobic activity (e.g., Traditional walking)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
6 Minute Walk Test for Distance	The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is a simple field test used to measure the distance an individual can walk on a flat, hard surface within six minutes. It is commonly used to evaluate functional exercise capacity and endurance, especially in populations with cardiopulmonary limitations. The test is performed in a straight corridor or walkway, and the total distance covered in six minutes is recorded	4 Weeks
Step Test-VO2max	(Maximal Oxygen Uptake) the step test is used to assess cardiopulmonary fitness by evaluating heart and lung efficiency during exercise and recovery. The test requires a 12-inch step/platform, a stopwatch, and optionally, a metronome and heart rate monitor. After a 5-10 minute warm-up, the participant steps up and down at a rate of 96 beats per minute for 3 minutes. Immediately after, the participant sits down, and their heart rate is measured for 1 full minute to determine cardiovascular endurance and recovery rate.	4 Weeks
Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)	(MMSE) is primarily used to assess cognitive function in the context of drug abusers, it can be relevant to evaluate cognitive impairment that may affect their ability to engage in and benefit from cardiopulmonary fitness programs. The MMSE evaluates cognitive domains such as orientation, memory, attention, language, and visuospatial skills. In drug abusers, cognitive deficits can influence their adherence to and effectiveness of cardiopulmonary interventions.	4 Weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)	FVC is the total volume of air that can be forcefully exhaled after a full inspiration. It is measured using a digital spirometer.	4 weeks
Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1)	FEV1 is the volume of air exhaled during the first second of a forced breath. It is measured using a digital spirometer.	4 weeks
Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF)	PEF is the maximum flow rate achieved during a forceful exhalation, measured using a digital spirometer.	4 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Riphah International University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Zobia Naseem, MS, Riphah International University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Ramos-Campo DJ, Andreu Caravaca L, Martinez-Rodriguez A, Rubio-Arias JA. Effects of Resistance Circuit-Based Training on Body Composition, Strength and Cardiorespiratory Fitness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Biology (Basel). 2021 Apr 28;10(5):377. doi: 10.3390/biology10050377.
• Song L-y, Huang Z-j, Yang S-s, Bu D-r, Yi N, Zheng X. Effectiveness of short-term exercise on drug rehabilitation effect for drug abusers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. 2023:1-26
• Getty AK, Wisdo TR, Chavis LN, Derella CC, McLaughlin KC, Perez AN, DiCiurcio WT 3rd, Corbin M, Feairheller DL. Effects of circuit exercise training on vascular health and blood pressure. Prev Med Rep. 2018 Feb 27;10:106-112. doi: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2018.02.010. eCollection 2018 Jun.
• Ramos-Campo D, Martínez-Guardado I, Olcina G, Marín-Pagán C, Martínez-Noguera F, Carlos-Vivas J, et al. Effect of high-intensity resistance circuit-based training in hypoxia on aerobic performance and repeat sprint ability. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports. 2018;28(10):2135-43.
• Márquez G, Romero-Arenas S, Marín-Pagán C, Vera-Ibañez A, Fernandez Del Olmo M, Taube W. Peripheral and central fatigue after high intensity resistance circuit training. Muscle & nerve. 2017;56(1):152-9.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): September 30, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Actual): January 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 21, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 16, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): April 22, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 22, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 16, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Cardiopulmonary Fitness; Circuit Training; Multi Drug Abusers.
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Compulsive Behavior; Impulsive Behavior; Behavior; Behavior, Addictive
• Other Study ID Numbers: Iftikhar Ahmad

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

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