DataSheet_1_PEAK Mood, Mind, and Marks: a pilot study of an intervention to support university students’ mental and cognitive health through physical exercise.docx

IntroductionRegular exercise has the potential to enhance university students’ mental and cognitive health. The PEAK Mood, Mind and Marks program (i.e., PEAK) is a neuroscience-informed intervention developed using the Behaviour Change Wheel to support students to exercise three or more times per week to benefit their mental and cognitive health. This pilot study assessed the impact of PEAK on exercise, mental and cognitive health, and implementation outcomes.MethodsPEAK was delivered to 115 undergraduate university students throughout a 12-week university semester. The primary outcome was weekly exercise frequency. Secondary outcomes were: time spent engaged in moderate-vigorous exercise, sedentary behaviour and perceived mental health and cognitive health. All were measured via online self-report questionnaires. Qualitative interviews with 15 students investigated influences on engagement, the acceptability and appropriateness of PEAK, and its mechanisms of behaviour change. Paired t-tests, Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests and template analysis were used to analyse quantitative and qualitative data, respectively.ResultsOn average, 48.4% of students engaged in the recommended frequency of three or more exercise sessions per week. This proportion decreased towards the end of PEAK. Sedentary behaviour significantly decreased from baseline to end-point, and moderate-vigorous exercise significantly increased among students’ who were non-exercisers. Mental wellbeing, stress, loneliness, and sense of belonging to the university significantly improved. There were no significant changes in psychological distress. Concentration, memory, and productivity significantly improved. Sixty-eight percent of students remained engaged in one or more components of PEAK at end-point. Qualitative data indicated students found PEAK to be acceptable and appropriate, and that it improved aspects of their capability, opportunity, and motivation to exercise.ConclusionsStudents are receptive to an exercise-based program to support their mental and cognitive health. Students exercise frequency decreased; however, these figures are likely a conservative estimate of students exercise engagement. Students valued the neuroscience-informed approach to motivational and educational content and that the program’s goals aligned with their academic goals. Students identified numerous areas PEAK’s content and implementation can be optimised, including use of a single digital delivery platform, more opportunities to connect with peers and to expand the content’s cultural inclusivity.

规律性锻炼具备提升大学生心理健康与认知能力的潜力。PEAK情绪、思维与学业提升计划（简称PEAK）是一项基于神经科学原理的干预措施，采用行为改变轮模型开发，旨在协助学生每周进行三次或以上的锻炼，以促进其心理健康与认知能力的提升。本项试点研究旨在评估PEAK对锻炼、心理健康与认知能力以及实施成效的影响。

研究方法：PEAK项目在12周的大学学期内针对115名本科生进行实施。主要观察指标为每周锻炼频率。次要观察指标包括参与中等至剧烈锻炼的时间、久坐行为以及感知到的心理健康与认知健康水平。所有指标均通过在线自我报告问卷进行测量。对15名学生进行的定性访谈调查了参与度的影响因素、PEAK的接受度和适宜性，以及其行为改变机制。分别采用配对t检验、Wilcoxon符号秩检验和模板分析对定量和定性数据进行分析。

研究结果：平均而言，48.4%的学生参与了每周三次或以上的推荐锻炼频率。这一比例在PEAK项目结束时有所下降。久坐行为从基线到终点显著减少，而对于非锻炼者而言，中等至剧烈锻炼显著增加。心理健康、压力、孤独感和对大学的归属感显著改善。心理压力没有显著变化。注意力、记忆和生产力显著提高。在终点时，68%的学生仍参与PEAK的一个或多个组成部分。定性数据显示，学生认为PEAK是可接受且适宜的，并且它改善了他们锻炼的能力、机会和动机。

研究结论：学生对于支持其心理健康与认知能力的基于锻炼的计划持开放态度。尽管学生的锻炼频率有所下降；然而，这些数据可能是学生锻炼参与度的保守估计。学生重视以神经科学原理为基础的动机和教育内容，以及该项目的目标与他们的学术目标相一致。学生提出了PEAK内容与实施可优化的多个领域，包括使用单一数字交付平台、增加与同龄人联系的机会以及扩大内容的多元文化包容性。