MedPath

The Effects of High-Intensity Exercise on Biological Age

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Exercise
Interventions
Other: Exercise
Other: Non Exercise
Registration Number
NCT05156918
Lead Sponsor
Loma Linda University
Brief Summary

The purpose of this graduate student research study is to determine if a high-intensity exercise program can slow or reverse biological (transcriptomic) aging and shed light on the underlying transcriptomic pathways involved.

Detailed Description

24 males and 24 females will be randomly assigned to either the control group or the exercise group. Baseline measures will be obtained, including questionnaires (on stress, sleep, depression, activity level, and fitness), body composition measures, vital signs, and a blood draw. Control group participants will make no modifications to regular diet or exercise habits for 30 days. Exercise group participants will perform supervised high intensity exercise three times per week at the LLU department of physical therapy laboratory utilizing treadmills, stationary bicycles, and rowing machines. Results will be collected following conclusion of the 30-day study protocol.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
35
Inclusion Criteria
  1. Sex: Both Males and Females
  2. Age: 40-65 years old
  3. Physical Fitness: Below average scores on the Self report fitness questionnaire
  4. Physical Activity: Low as measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire
Exclusion Criteria
  1. Prior (within the last 5 years) or current history of cardiovascular disease, stroke, unexplained weight loss, clinical depression, congestive heart failure, cancer, arrythmia, respiratory disease, or other serious medical conditions that would make exercise unsafe or prevent full participation in the exercise protocol.
  2. Any self-reported significant increase or decrease in activity levels within the past thirty days.
  3. Current use of the following medications: antibiotics, glucocorticoids, anticoagulants, narcotics, antiepileptic medications, antipsychotics, antidepressants, and hypoglycemic agents.
  4. Current self-reported pregnancy

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Exercise GroupExerciseExercise group participants will perform supervised high intensity exercise three times per week at the LLU department of physical therapy laboratory utilizing treadmills, stationary bicycles, and rowing machines.
Control GroupNon ExerciseControl group participants will make no modifications to regular diet or exercise habits for 30 days.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
venipuncture procedureChange between baseline and 30 days

Participants will have 8ml of blood drawn on two separate occasions by a certified phlebotomist. The first 8 ml (1.62tsp) blood draw will occur at 8am on day 1 of the study protocol. The second 8ml (1.62tsp) blood draw will occur approximately 30 days later. The total blood draw volume will be 16ml or approximately 3.25 teaspoons. The blood draw is to test for the effects of exercise on gene expression and aging.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Perceived stress scale surveyChange between baseline and 30 days

The most widely used psychological instrument for measuring the perception of stress. It is a measure of the degree to which situations in one's life are regarded as stressful during the past 30 days. Responses are scored from 0 to 4. And the total score can be from 0 to 40.

"Scores ranging from 0-13 would be considered low stress. Scores ranging from 14-26 would be considered moderate stress. Scores ranging from 27-40 would be considered high perceived stress."

Pittsburgh Sleep Quality IndexChange between baseline and 30 days

A self-rated questionnaire which assesses sleep quality over a 1-month period. Questions are scored between a zero and three. A total score of 5 or greater means poor sleep quality.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Loma Linda University

🇺🇸

Loma Linda, California, United States

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath