Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Occupational Burnout

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The aim of the present study is to investigate the impact of regular aerobic exercise on psychopathology, cortisol secretion, BDNF, sleep, cognitive performance, and psychological functioning in people suffering from professional burnout. Pre- and postassessments after 12 weeks of training will be performed.

Official Title
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Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Occupational Burnout

Conditions
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Burnout Syndrome

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: aerobic exercising


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: burnout male participants non-smokers Exclusion Criteria: psychiatric disorders smokers physical diseases

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 60 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Aerobic Exercise<br> | Behavioral: aerobic exercising<br>* All participants take part in an aerobic exercise training program with a total weekly energy expenditure of 17.5 kcal/kg/week over the entire 12-week intervention period. The dose of exercise is determined using exercise prescription guidelines established by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM, American College of Sports Medicine, 2000). All trainings take place at a local public gym under supervision of previously trained exercise coaches from the Institute of Exercise and Health Sciences of the University Basel. Participants can choose between different training devices for cardiovascular training. Energy expenditure is assessed using the values of burned calories provided by the training devices based on age, weight and training performance. Heart rate is monitored during all training sessions with chest belt heart rate monitors (Polar®) to ensure training below the anaerobic threshold with heart rates between 60 - 75 % of the maximum heart rate.<br>|
| Other: healthy controls<br> | Behavioral: aerobic exercising<br>* All participants take part in an aerobic exercise training program with a total weekly energy expenditure of 17.5 kcal/kg/week over the entire 12-week intervention period. The dose of exercise is determined using exercise prescription guidelines established by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM, American College of Sports Medicine, 2000). All trainings take place at a local public gym under supervision of previously trained exercise coaches from the Institute of Exercise and Health Sciences of the University Basel. Participants can choose between different training devices for cardiovascular training. Energy expenditure is assessed using the values of burned calories provided by the training devices based on age, weight and training performance. Heart rate is monitored during all training sessions with chest belt heart rate monitors (Polar®) to ensure training below the anaerobic threshold with heart rates between 60 - 75 % of the maximum heart rate.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change of burnout severity by aerobic exercise training | burnout severity measured by psychopathology, cortisol secretion, BDNF, sleep, cognitive performance, and psychological functioning | Change from baseline to follow-up after 12 weeks |