HealthyNCT06972121
Digital Mindset Intervention for Half Marathon Performance
A study testing Mindset Intervention and Marathon Performance Training in people with Healthy and Exercise, run by University of Auckland, New Zealand at 1 site in New Zealand.
Trial summary
The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to test whether a brief digital mindset training program can improve performance among recreational runners training for a half marathon in New Zealand in 2025. The study will recruit healthy adult participants who are registered for an upcoming half-marathon event. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Healthy, Exercise, Psychological Intervention
- What is being tested?
- Mindset Intervention and Marathon Performance Training
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 207 participants
- Where
- 1 siteNew Zealand
- Study dates
- 15 May 2025to Sep 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Be aged 18 years or older
- Be registered to run (not walk) in a 2025 half marathon in New Zealand
- Be running their 1st, 2nd, or 3rd half marathon
- Be able to complete the half-marathon without physical assistance or aids
- Be able to read and understand English
- Have regular access to email or an internet-connected device
Who cannot join
- Have completed more than 2 half marathons in the past
- Are currently injured or unable to complete the race unassisted
- Are unable to complete online questionnaires independently
- Do not have access to a device capable of receiving digital content via app or email
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Rachael Yielder, Health Psychology PhD Candidat contact
New Zealand1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland
Auckland, 1142
Michelle Taylorson, Masters in Health Psychology, 0064212308053, mtay322@aucklanduni.ac.nz
Keith Petrie
About this study
Official title: The Efficacy of a Digital Mindset Intervention to Improve Race Performance, Training Outcomes, and Recovery in Recreational Half Marathon Runners: A Randomized Controlled Trial
The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to test whether a brief digital mindset training program can improve performance among recreational runners training for a half marathon in New Zealand in 2025. The study will recruit healthy adult participants who are registered for an upcoming half-marathon event.
The study aims to answer two main questions:
Read more
- Does the mindset training program - designed to reframe common physical symptoms like fatigue or muscle soreness as signs of progress - help more runners complete the race and improve their official times, compared to standard training advice?
- Does it support better training (e.g., longer peak training weeks) and faster physical recovery after the race?
Researchers will compare participants who receive the mindset training program to those who receive widely followed half-marathon training content and a group who receive no study content, to see whether the mindset training leads to better half-marathon performance and training outcomes.
Participants will:
- Complete a brief online survey at the start of the study
- Receive and engage with four pieces of digital content across nine weeks before the half-marathon race (if assigned to a training group)
- Complete a follow-up survey after the half-marathon
Read the detailed description
This randomized controlled trial evaluates whether a brief digital mindset intervention can improve performance and training outcomes among recreational runners training for a half marathon. The intervention is grounded in psychological theories of mindsets, expectation, placebo effects, and effort perception, which suggest that how individuals interpret physical symptoms during exercise-such as fatigue or muscle soreness-can influence motivation, persistence, and overall outcomes.
The intervention aims to reframe mild physical symptoms experienced during training as signs of physiological adaptation rather than negative signals, helping participants develop more adaptive mindsets about effort and endurance. Intervention content includes brief digital modules that introduce the concept of meta-mindsets (beliefs about how mindsets influence experiences and outcomes) and provide applied strategies for interpreting discomfort as a normal and constructive part of the endurance training process.
The digital modules are delivered over a nine-week period leading up to the participant's half marathon and are designed to be time-efficient and accessible. To ensure comparability, participants assigned to the active control group receive parallel-format digital modules that focus on widely followed training advice, without any mindset-related material. Participants in the control group do not receive digital content during the study period. All intervention content is delivered via the Intervengine platform or email.
Participants are randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three study arms. Randomization is conducted independently using a computer-generated allocation sequence. The study follows an intention-to-treat analysis approach, with additional per-protocol analyses among participants who complete the intervention and race.
Statistical analyses will include ANOVA and mixed-model approaches to assess group differences in primary and secondary outcomes over time. Missing data will be addressed using multiple imputation techniques. All eligibility criteria, outcome measures, and intervention details are specified in the relevant sections of the clinical trial registration record.
This trial contributes to a growing body of research examining scalable psychological interventions that support physical activity adherence and performance. It explores whether brief mindset-focused training can enhance endurance outcomes in real-world, non-clinical athletic contexts.
- Conditions
- Healthy, Exercise, Psychological Intervention
- Being tested
- Mindset Intervention, Marathon Performance Training
- Keywords
- Mindset, Exercise, Physical Activity, Sports psychology, Marathon, Performance
- Medical subject headings
- Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Mindset InterventionBehavioural
The mindset intervention includes 4 brief digital modules over 9 weeks (once every 3 weeks) via app or email, prior to the half-marathon race. The content introduces meta-mindsets (beliefs about how mindsets shape experiences and outcomes) and reframes non-severe physical symptoms (e.g., muscle soreness, fatigue) as signs of physiological adaptation. Modules cover: (1) what mindsets are and how they affect performance; (2) how to interpret normal training symptoms as positive signals; (3) how to maintain adaptive mindsets during peak training; and (4) race-day mindset preparation. Each module includes brief text, visuals, and reflection questions and takes approximately five minutes to complete.
Marathon Performance TrainingBehavioural
The marathon performance training intervention includes 4 brief digital modules over 9 weeks (once every 3 weeks) via app or email, prior to the half-marathon race. Content is based on publicly available half-marathon training guidance and excludes any mindset-related material. Modules cover: (1) setting race goals and structuring training plans; (2) training tips and best practices (e.g., pacing, injury prevention); (3) navigating peak training periods (e.g., distance increases, rest and recovery); and (4) practical race-day preparation strategies (e.g., pacing, fueling, warm-up routines). Each module includes concise text, visuals, and actionable tips designed to take approximately five minutes to complete.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Mindset Intervention | Experimental | Participants in this arm are assigned to receive a digital mindset intervention designed to improve training experiences by targeting core beliefs about mindsets, and exercise symptoms such as discomfort and fatigue. This arm allows testing of the effects of mindset-focused content compared to standard training and control. Participants receive 4 brief digital modules over 9 weeks via app or email. The modules include mindset theory, reframing of physical symptoms, and race-day mental preparation. Receives: Behavioral: Mindset Intervention |
| Marathon Performance Training | Active comparator | Participants in this arm are assigned to receive standard half-marathon performance training content. This arm serves as an attentional control, allowing comparison with the mindset intervention arm. Participants receive 4 brief digital modules over 9 weeks via app or email. The modules are based on publicly available running guidance and do not include any mindset-related material. Receives: Behavioral: Marathon Performance Training |
| Control | No intervention | Participants in the control group will not receive any digital training or mindset content during the study period. They will continue their usual preparation for the half-marathon without additional input from the research team. This group serves as a no-intervention comparator to assess the added effects of both the mindset intervention and the marathon performance training content. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Official Race Times
The primary study outcome is the official half-marathon finish time recorded for each participant (in hours, minutes, and seconds)
Measured: At half-marathon race completion (approximately 9 weeks after intervention start)
Race Completion
Number of participants who complete a half marathon, across each study arm.
Measured: At half-marathon race completion (approximately 9 weeks after intervention start)
Secondary outcomes (3)
Race Recovery
Number of days it took participants to feel fully recovered from their half-marathon race. For example, when fatigue and muscle pain subsided.
Measured: 1-week post-race (self-reported number of days to recover since race day)
Peak Training Week Run Frequency
The number of days each participant ran during their peak training week before the half-marathon race.
Measured with the question:
During your peak training week, how many days did you train? (days/week)
Measured: 1-week post-race (reflecting participant-identified peak training week, usually 3-4 weeks before race day)
Peak Training Week - Total Distance Run
The total distance (in kilometers) that each participant ran across all training runs during their peak training week prior to the half-marathon race.
Measured with the question:
During your peak training week, what was the total distance you ran across all your runs that week? (km)
Measured: 1-week post-race (reflecting participant-identified peak training week, usually 3-4 weeks before race day)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted14 May 2025
- Study start15 May 2025
- Primary completionSep 2025 (estimated)
- Study completionSep 2025 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for HealthyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 207 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Auckland, New Zealand
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Keith J Petrie, University of Auckland, New Zealand
- Investigators
- Keith Petrie, Professor, Principal investigator, University of Auckland, New Zealand
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06972121
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- UAHPEC29030
- Status last verified
- May 2025
- First submitted
- 14 Apr 2025
- Last updated
- 28 May 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data (IPD) will not be made available due to ethical and privacy considerations outlined in the study's protocol. Participants did not provide consent for their individual-level data to be shared beyond the research team. In line with University of Auckland ethics guidelines, data sharing is limited to de-identified, aggregated results reported in publications or presentations.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 28 May 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Efficacy of a Digital Mindset Intervention to Improve Race Performance, Training Outcomes, and Recovery in Recreational Half Marathon Runners: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06972121
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- UAHPEC29030
- Conditions
- Healthy, Exercise, Psychological Intervention
- Keywords
- Mindset, Exercise, Physical Activity, Sports psychology, Marathon, Performance
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 207 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of Auckland, New ZealandUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 May 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Sep 2025 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Sep 2025 (estimated)
- First posted
- 14 May 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to test whether a brief digital mindset training program can improve performance among recreational runners training for a half marathon in New Zealand in 2025. The study will recruit healthy adult participants who are registered for an upcoming half-marathon event.
The study aims to answer two main questions:
- Does the mindset training program - designed to reframe common physical symptoms like fatigue or muscle soreness as signs of progress - help more runners complete the race and improve their official times, compared to standard training advice?
- Does it support better training (e.g., longer peak training weeks) and faster physical recovery after the race?
Researchers will compare participants who receive the mindset training program to those who receive widely followed half-marathon training content and a group who receive no study content, to see whether the mindset training leads to better half-marathon performance and training outcomes.
Participants will:
- Complete a brief online survey at the start of the study
- Receive and engage with four pieces of digital content across nine weeks before the half-marathon race (if assigned to a training group)
- Complete a follow-up survey after the half-marathon
Detailed description
This randomized controlled trial evaluates whether a brief digital mindset intervention can improve performance and training outcomes among recreational runners training for a half marathon. The intervention is grounded in psychological theories of mindsets, expectation, placebo effects, and effort perception, which suggest that how individuals interpret physical symptoms during exercise-such as fatigue or muscle soreness-can influence motivation, persistence, and overall outcomes.
The intervention aims to reframe mild physical symptoms experienced during training as signs of physiological adaptation rather than negative signals, helping participants develop more adaptive mindsets about effort and endurance. Intervention content includes brief digital modules that introduce the concept of meta-mindsets (beliefs about how mindsets influence experiences and outcomes) and provide applied strategies for interpreting discomfort as a normal and constructive part of the endurance training process.
The digital modules are delivered over a nine-week period leading up to the participant's half marathon and are designed to be time-efficient and accessible. To ensure comparability, participants assigned to the active control group receive parallel-format digital modules that focus on widely followed training advice, without any mindset-related material. Participants in the control group do not receive digital content during the study period. All intervention content is delivered via the Intervengine platform or email.
Participants are randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of three study arms. Randomization is conducted independently using a computer-generated allocation sequence. The study follows an intention-to-treat analysis approach, with additional per-protocol analyses among participants who complete the intervention and race.
Statistical analyses will include ANOVA and mixed-model approaches to assess group differences in primary and secondary outcomes over time. Missing data will be addressed using multiple imputation techniques. All eligibility criteria, outcome measures, and intervention details are specified in the relevant sections of the clinical trial registration record.
This trial contributes to a growing body of research examining scalable psychological interventions that support physical activity adherence and performance. It explores whether brief mindset-focused training can enhance endurance outcomes in real-world, non-clinical athletic contexts.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Mindset Intervention | Experimental | Behavioral: Mindset InterventionParticipants in this arm are assigned to receive a digital mindset intervention designed to improve training experiences by targeting core beliefs about mindsets, and exercise symptoms such as discomfort and fatigue. This arm allows testing of the effects of mindset-focused content compared to standard training and control. Participants receive 4 brief digital modules over 9 weeks via app or email. The modules include mindset theory, reframing of physical symptoms, and race-day mental preparation. |
| Marathon Performance Training | Active comparator | Behavioral: Marathon Performance TrainingParticipants in this arm are assigned to receive standard half-marathon performance training content. This arm serves as an attentional control, allowing comparison with the mindset intervention arm. Participants receive 4 brief digital modules over 9 weeks via app or email. The modules are based on publicly available running guidance and do not include any mindset-related material. |
| Control | No intervention | –Participants in the control group will not receive any digital training or mindset content during the study period. They will continue their usual preparation for the half-marathon without additional input from the research team. This group serves as a no-intervention comparator to assess the added effects of both the mindset intervention and the marathon performance training content. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Be aged 18 years or older
- Be registered to run (not walk) in a 2025 half marathon in New Zealand
- Be running their 1st, 2nd, or 3rd half marathon
- Be able to complete the half-marathon without physical assistance or aids
- Be able to read and understand English
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Have completed more than 2 half marathons in the past
- Are currently injured or unable to complete the race unassisted
- Are unable to complete online questionnaires independently
- Do not have access to a device capable of receiving digital content via app or email
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Mindset InterventionThe mindset intervention includes 4 brief digital modules over 9 weeks (once every 3 weeks) via app or email, prior to the half-marathon race. The content introduces meta-mindsets (beliefs about how mindsets shape experiences and outcomes) and reframes non-severe physical symptoms (e.g., muscle soreness, fatigue) as signs of physiological adaptation. Modules cover: (1) what mindsets are and how they affect performance; (2) how to interpret normal training symptoms as positive signals; (3) how to maintain adaptive mindsets during peak training; and (4) race-day mindset preparation. Each module includes brief text, visuals, and reflection questions and takes approximately five minutes to complete. | Behavioural | Mindset Intervention |
| Marathon Performance TrainingThe marathon performance training intervention includes 4 brief digital modules over 9 weeks (once every 3 weeks) via app or email, prior to the half-marathon race. Content is based on publicly available half-marathon training guidance and excludes any mindset-related material. Modules cover: (1) setting race goals and structuring training plans; (2) training tips and best practices (e.g., pacing, injury prevention); (3) navigating peak training periods (e.g., distance increases, rest and recovery); and (4) practical race-day preparation strategies (e.g., pacing, fueling, warm-up routines). Each module includes concise text, visuals, and actionable tips designed to take approximately five minutes to complete. | Behavioural | Marathon Performance Training |
Primary outcome
Official Race Times
Time frame: At half-marathon race completion (approximately 9 weeks after intervention start)
The primary study outcome is the official half-marathon finish time recorded for each participant (in hours, minutes, and seconds)
Race Completion
Time frame: At half-marathon race completion (approximately 9 weeks after intervention start)
Number of participants who complete a half marathon, across each study arm.
3 secondary outcomes
Race Recovery
Time frame: 1-week post-race (self-reported number of days to recover since race day)
Peak Training Week Run Frequency
Time frame: 1-week post-race (reflecting participant-identified peak training week, usually 3-4 weeks before race day)
Peak Training Week - Total Distance Run
Time frame: 1-week post-race (reflecting participant-identified peak training week, usually 3-4 weeks before race day)
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 28 May 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data (IPD) will not be made available due to ethical and privacy considerations outlined in the study's protocol. Participants did not provide consent for their individual-level data to be shared beyond the research team. In line with University of Auckland ethics guidelines, data sharing is limited to de-identified, aggregated results reported in publications or presentations.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Rachael Yielder, Health Psychology PhD Candidat contact
Keith Petrie, Professor principal investigator
University of Auckland, New Zealand
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Mindset Intervention and Marathon Performance Training in people with Healthy and Exercise, run by University of Auckland, New Zealand at 1 site in New Zealand.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 May 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in New Zealand. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Michelle Taylorson, Health Psychology Masters Stud (+64 21 230 8053, mtay322@aucklanduni.ac.nz), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Official Race Times (time frame: At half-marathon race completion (approximately 9 weeks after intervention start)). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 28 May 2025.