Exercise Research Study for Sedentary People

STUDY BASICS

Are you generally healthy but do not exercise regularly? If so, you may be able to participate in a research study to help learn more about how increasing physical activity may improve health. Some participants will have the opportunity to exercise with the supervision of a study staff member similar to a personal trainer. Compensation provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

Regular physical activity can have many health benefits including weight loss, heart health, strong bones and muscles, and improved mood, but fewer than half of adults in the United States get the recommended amount of exercise. The purpose of this study is to learn more about the effects of exercise on the cells and tissues of the body by studying people who do and do not exercise regularly. Researchers hope their findings will lead to a better understanding of how the body changes with physical activity and will help healthcare providers make better recommendations about exercise programs in the future.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• Ages 18 and up
• Able to read and speak in English
• Do not exercise regularly (eligible participants must not exercise more than 1 hour, 1 day per week)
• Body mass index is equal to or greater than 19 and less than 35:https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm
• Not diagnosed with diabetes, cancer (basal or squamous cell skin cancer is ok), heart disease, or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
• Not pregnant or planning to become pregnant; have not breastfed or given birth in the past year

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

Participation lasts up to 6 months. Participants will have several study visits to find out if they qualify for the study and to measure their fitness level. Once these visits are completed, participants will be randomly assigned (like drawing numbers from a hat) to one of three groups: 1) endurance exercise (treadmill, stationary bike), 2) resistance exercise (weight lifting), or 3) no exercise. Participants assigned to Groups 1 and 2 will exercise at the Oak Hill Commons facility for 45 minutes, 3 days per week, for 12 weeks; participants in Group 3 will rest quietly according to the same schedule. Before and after these programs, researchers will collect information from each group about general health, fitness, muscle strength, body size, and food intake. Blood samples and small pieces of muscle (from the thigh) and fat tissue (from the belly region) will also be collected. At the end of the 12 weeks, all participants will repeat the fitness testing and repeat the exercise or rest visit and collection of blood, muscle, and fat samples.