Use of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation to Prevent Exercise Resistance

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Fat Metabolism

• Registration Number: NCT07161648
• Lead Sponsor: Colorado State University

Brief Summary

The study will find out if 100 minutes of electrical stimulation of muscle prevents the unfavorable consequence of insufficient exercise.

Detailed Description

Exercise resistance is characterized by the absence of exercise induced improvements in fat metabolism following a meal, and results from prolonged sedentary behavior between successive workouts (i.e. 2+ sedentary days between exercise bouts). The suggested energy expenditure threshold for avoiding exercise resistance is the equivalent of walking \~8,500 steps/day. However, population data indicate that the typical adult in the US only walks 5,000 steps/day (i.e. 3,500 steps below the threshold). Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) evokes skeletal muscle contractions and increases energy expenditure. The hypothesis to be explored in this current proposal is: NMES will prevent exercise resistance. The plan is to induce exercise resistance via short-term abstention from activity other than exercise, and then on a separate occasion, use NMES to prevent exercise resistance (i.e. the short-term abstention from exercise will be "replaced" with NMES).

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2024-09
• Study Start: 2024-10-17
• Study First Submitted: 2025-09-02
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-09-02
• Study First Posted: 2025-09-08
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-09-08
• Last Update Posted: 2025-09-12
• Primary Completion: 2026-09-30
• Study Completion: 2026-09-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 30

Inclusion Criteria

• Regularly active (more than 30 minutes of exercise per day, 3 days per week, over the previous 12 months)
• Ability to complete at least one hour of treadmill exercise (i.e. jogging/running),
• Willing to abstain from caffeine and alcohol for 24-hours prior to three different study visits
• Competency in English

Exclusion Criteria

• Current or previous injuries that may hinder a participant's ability to exercise on a treadmill
• A history of cardiopulmonary disorder that may be contra-indicative to treadmill exercise
• Current use of cardio-pulmonary medication to treat a cardio-pulmonary condition
• Currently breastfeeding
• Pregnancy

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Fat oxidation	Blood will be sampled and triglyceride concentration measured. Study participants will eat a meal. Blood will be sampled and triglyceride concentration measured every 30-minutes for 4 hours.	Circulating triglyceride concentration after eating a high fat meal.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Colorado State University; 🇺🇸 Fort Collins, Colorado, United States