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SDT-Based Intervention for Exercise Motivation in Female Students

NCT07506343 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 194

Last updated 2026-04-01

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Physical inactivity, maladaptive exercise motives, and body image concerns are highly prevalent among young adult women and are associated with reduced psychological well-being and increased risk for disordered eating. This study protocol describes a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate a multi-component psychoeducational intervention integrating Self-Determination Theory principles with functionality-oriented body image strategies to enhance autonomous motivation for exercise and promote psychological well-being among female university students. Female Health Sciences students aged 18-25 will be randomly allocated (1:1) to an experimental or control group following baseline assessment, and outcomes will be evaluated at baseline, post-intervention, and six-week follow-up. The six-session face-to-face intervention incorporates autonomy-supportive communication, competence-building activities, meaningful rationales, choice provision, and supportive relational climates, combined with functionality-based body image content. The primary outcome is autonomous motivation for exercise (BREQ-3; Relative Autonomy Index), and secondary outcomes include basic psychological need satisfaction and frustration, physical activity levels, positive body image, and eating disorder risk. Linear mixed-effects models will be used under an intention-to-treat approach, and mediation analyses will test whether changes in psychological need satisfaction underlie improvements in motivational quality. The intervention is expected to promote healthier motivational regulation, increase physical activity engagement, strengthen positive body image, and reduce maladaptive exercise drivers. Findings aim to inform scalable, theory-driven preventive strategies for improving health and well-being among young women in university settings.

Conditions

  • Body Image
  • Physical Activity

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Experimental group will receive a face-to-face psychoeducational program grounded in Self-Determination Theory. Control group will no receive any psychoeducational program

Participants in the experimental group will receive a face-to-face psychoeducational program grounded in Self-Determination Theory. The intervention consists of six 60-minute weekly group workshops (up to 15 participants per group). Sessions include autonomy-supportive communication, competence-building activities, functionality-oriented body image content, experiential tasks, and guided reflection. Facilitators are trained professionals in exercise science and psychonutrition who follow a standardized session guide. Intervention fidelity is monitored using session checklists. Workshop content progresses through: Awareness of motivational quality Personal values and self-endorsed goals Competence and flexible planning Functionality-oriented body appreciation Social support and supportive relational climate Maintenance of behavior change and coping with setbacks

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Universidad Francisco de Vitoria

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
25 Years
Sex
FEMALE
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-10-01
Primary Completion
2027-02-20
Completion
2027-04-30

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07506343 on ClinicalTrials.gov