The Influence of Mindfulness-Enhanced Resistance Training Program on the Subjective Well-Being of Female College Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Ping Qu, Fang-Bin Li, Yi-Wen Zhou, Feng Pan
Behavioral Sciences April 8, 2026 DOI: 10.3390/bs16040553 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 64 |
| Population | Healthy female college students |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-enhanced resistance training (MRT) Resistance training (RT) |
| Duration | 30 weeks; 90 min weekly sessions |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Subjective well-being Self-esteem Resistance training Female college students Mediating effect |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-enhanced resistance training (MRT) improved physical health, mindfulness, self-esteem, and subjective well-being in female college students, outperforming standard resistance training on waist-to-hip ratio, flexibility, vital capacity, and mental health outcomes. Changes in self-esteem fully mediated the relationship between MRT and increased subjective well-being. |
Abstract
This study evaluates the effects of a 30-week mindfulness-enhanced resistance training (MRT) program on the physical and mental health of female college students and explores whether changes in self-esteem or mindfulness mediate the relationship between MRT and subjective well-being. Sixty-four healthy female college students were randomly assigned to either the MRT or resistance training (RT) group. Both groups participated in 90 min weekly sessions for 30 weeks. A 2 × 2 mixed-design ANOVA analyzed the intervention's effects on physical health, mindfulness, self-esteem, and subjective well-being. PROCESS macro (Model 4) tested mediation effects. MRT and RT significantly improved physical health, with MRT showing superior improvements in waist-to-hip ratio, flexibility, and vital capacity. Only MRT improved mindfulness, self-esteem, and subjective well-being. Self-esteem changes fully mediated the relationship between MRT and subjective well-being. MRT as a comprehensive mind-body intervention significantly enhanced the physical health and subjective well-being of female college students, outperforming resistance training. Improvements in self-esteem mediated the relationship between MRT and increased subjective well-being. MRT can serve as an effective approach to promote the physical and mental health of female college students.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 23
- A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based Tai Chi Chuan for subthreshold depression adolescents Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment September 1, 2018
- Mindfulness-Based and Mindfulness-Informed Interventions at the Workplace: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression Analysis of RCTs. Mindfulness May 11, 2023
- Mindfulness and Affective Responses to Treadmill Walking in Individuals with Low Intrinsic Motivation to Exercise International journal of exercise science 2018
- The effects of mindfulness enhanced Tai Chi Chuan training on mental and physical health among beginners: a randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Psychology 2024
- An RCT-reticulated meta-analysis of six MBE therapies affecting college students' negative psychology. iScience July 21, 2023
and 18 more in the library