Impact of Gender Difference and Exercise Intensities on Depression and Anxiety Symptoms Among University Students

Launched by CAIRO UNIVERSITY · Aug 17, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at how different levels of exercise and gender might affect symptoms of depression and anxiety in university students. The goal is to understand whether exercise intensity and being male or female make a difference in how students feel when they are experiencing mild to moderate depression and anxiety. This study has not started recruiting participants yet.

To take part, you need to be a single student aged 18 to 25 years old, with a body weight and height ratio (called BMI) within a healthy range. You should have been diagnosed by a psychiatrist with mild to moderate depression and anxiety, based on specific rating scales. People who have serious health problems like heart or lung diseases, a history of brain injury, or those who are professional athletes or already exercise regularly, will not be eligible. Participants will be randomly assigned to different exercise routines to see how these affect their mood. This study aims to find better ways to support students’ mental health through exercise, considering differences between men and women.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Being a student in higher education
• • Being single
• • Age between 18 and 25 years of both sexes
• • Accepting the principle of randomization in the trial.
• • The body mass index is 18.5-24.9 kg/m².
• • Diagnosed by psychiatrist as having a mild to moderate degree of anxiety and depression.
• • Having scores of 7-24 on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression.
• • Having scores of 17-30 on the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Neurological history such as illness or head trauma
• • Present severe and unstable respiratory disease
• • History of heart defect or cardiovascular disease or any other medical conditions prohibiting high-intensity sport or physical activity
• • Being professional athlete.
• • Involved in regular routine of exercises
• • Taking medication for mental health history of any neurological disorders like neuropathy or seizures.