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Vascular Health With Immobilization and Exercise Training

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Physical Activity
Immobilization, Tonic
Interventions
Other: Immobilization
Other: Training with non immobilized leg
Other: Exercise training with both legs
Registration Number
NCT03054376
Lead Sponsor
University of Copenhagen
Brief Summary

The study includes healthy young habitually active subjects. All subjects are subjected to two weeks of immobilization of one leg followed by four weeks of training of both legs. The subjects are randomized to either one-leg training of the non-immobilized leg during the two-week immobilization period or to no training of the non-immobilized leg during the immobilization period. Measures include skeletal muscle morphology, markers of angiogenesis and apoptosis, muscle metabolic markers, vascular function, vascular proteins and performance.

Detailed Description

One leg of young healthy subjects will be immoblized for two weeks. Changes in angiogenic proteins and markers of apoptosis in muscle tissue and muscle extracellular fluid will be determined in both legs and in parallel the functional consequences of immobilization will be assessed. Vascular function and vascular proteins will also be determined. In order to understand how the oxidative capacity of the muscle is altered in parallel with changes in capillarization, markers of mitochondria will be measured .Half of the subjects will be randomized to single-leg training during the immobilization period to assess whether simultaneous training reduces the loss of capillaries, muscle function and vascular function in the immobilized leg. After the immobilization period the study participants will train the immobilized leg and the control leg for four weeks by moderate to intense interval cycle training and the same parameteres as during immobilization will be assessed in both legs. The study will also include measurements of circulating compounds and platelets in blood.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
12
Inclusion Criteria
  • Healthy
  • BMI <25
  • Habitually/moderately physically active
Exclusion Criteria
  • Known chronic medical disorder
  • Smoking
  • Excessive alcohol intake
  • Known genetic/familial predisposition for thrombosis
  • Hormonal birth control
  • High level strength or endurance training on a regular basis

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Training of non-immobilized legTraining with non immobilized legAfter baseline studies, the subjects will have one leg immobilized by full length plaster for two weeks. During the two weeks, the other leg will be trained. After the two weeks the subjects will train both legs for four weeks.
Training of non-immobilized legImmobilizationAfter baseline studies, the subjects will have one leg immobilized by full length plaster for two weeks. During the two weeks, the other leg will be trained. After the two weeks the subjects will train both legs for four weeks.
Training of non-immobilized legExercise training with both legsAfter baseline studies, the subjects will have one leg immobilized by full length plaster for two weeks. During the two weeks, the other leg will be trained. After the two weeks the subjects will train both legs for four weeks.
ImmobilizationImmobilizationAfter baseline studies, the subjects will have one leg immobilized by full length plaster for two weeks. During the two weeks, the other leg will not be trained. After the two weeks the subjects will train both legs for four weeks.
ImmobilizationExercise training with both legsAfter baseline studies, the subjects will have one leg immobilized by full length plaster for two weeks. During the two weeks, the other leg will not be trained. After the two weeks the subjects will train both legs for four weeks.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
AngiogenesisChange from after immobilization to after 4 weeks of training

Skeletal muscle capillarization-comparison between legs

Vascular functionChange from after immobilization to after 4 weeks of training

Measurements of skeletal muscle blood flow by ultrasound doppler in response to infusion of vasodilators/constrictors-comparison between legs

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Markers of bone metabolismChange from baseline to after 2 weeks of immobilization and from after immobilization to after 4 weeks of training

Measurements of bone markers in plasma

Knee extensor performanceChange from baseline to after 2 weeks of immobilization and from after immobilization to after 4 weeks of training

Measurements of maximal power and endurance-comparison between legs

Vascular and metabolic proteinsChange from baseline to after 2 weeks of immobilization and from after immobilization to after 4 weeks of training

Proteins of importance for vascular function and muscle metabolism measured in muscle biopsy samples, skeletal muscle interstitial fluid and plasma-comparison between legs

Maximal oxygen uptakeChange from baseline to after 2 weeks of immobilization and from after immobilization to after 4 weeks of training

Measured by gas analysis during an incremental ergometer cycle protocol

Body compositionChange from baseline to after 2 weeks of immobilization and from after immobilization to after 4 weeks of training

Measurements by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry

Arterial blood pressureChange from baseline to after 2 weeks of immobilization and from after immobilization to after 4 weeks of training

Measured by sphygmomanometer and intra-arterially

Skin microcirculationChange from baseline to after 2 weeks of immobilization and from after immobilization to after 4 weeks of training

Measurements of skin blood flow and morphology and relevant proteins in skin biopsies

Markers of angiogenesisChange from baseline to after 2 weeks of immobilization and from after immobilization to after 4 weeks of training

Measurement of angiogenic and apoptotic factors-comparison between legs

Vascular function-non-invasiveChange from baseline to after 2 weeks of immobilization and from after immobilization to after 4 weeks of training

Measurements of skeletal muscle blood flow at rest, during passive movement, during exercise, after five min of occlusion and during infusion of vasodilators and constrictors-comparison between legs

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Copenhagen

🇩🇰

Copenhagen, Denmark

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