Moderate-Intensity Exercise for Biomarkers

Overseen by Jennifer L Gay, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Phase 1 & 2

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: University of Georgia

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to understand how college students' biomarkers change with a relatively short bout of moderate-intensity physical activity. The investigators are comparing biomarkers in between self-reported physically active and sedentary students in terms of their percent difference and change. The investigators are also studying physically active versus sedentary college students' mental health. This is a mentored student research project in the investigator's lab (not part of a thesis, dissertation, or other coursework requirements), where multiple students have developed research questions using the same study design.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on exercise and biomarkers, so it's likely you won't need to stop, but you should confirm with the study team.

What data supports the idea that Moderate-Intensity Exercise for Biomarkers is an effective treatment?

The available research shows that moderate-intensity exercise, like elliptical activity, is effective in improving cardiovascular health. It helps reduce risk factors such as high cholesterol and smoking, and improves heart function. Studies indicate that increasing cardiorespiratory fitness by a small amount can reduce the risk of heart problems by about 20%. Compared to other treatments, exercise is one of the most effective ways to improve heart health and quality of life. Regular exercise also helps manage heart disease by increasing exercise tolerance and reducing anxiety and depression. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

What safety data exists for moderate-intensity exercise like elliptical activity?

The provided research does not directly address safety data for moderate-intensity exercise such as elliptical activity. However, it does explore various aspects of exercise, including knee joint kinematics during elliptical exercise, metabolic and inflammatory responses to different types of resistance exercise, and physiological responses during indoor cycling. These studies suggest that while elliptical exercise is popular and generally considered safe, specific factors like exercise direction, incline, and intensity can impact physiological responses and potential risks. More targeted research would be needed to provide comprehensive safety data for moderate-intensity elliptical exercise. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Is Elliptical Activity a promising treatment for improving health markers?

Yes, Elliptical Activity, as a form of moderate-intensity exercise, is a promising treatment. It can help reduce blood pressure, improve insulin sensitivity, and enhance weight loss, which are important for preventing cardiovascular diseases. ^{8 11 12 13 14}

Research Team

Jennifer L Gay, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Georgia

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for healthy college students aged 18-34 who can pass a basic physical activity readiness questionnaire. Participants should either be sedentary or active, meeting exercise guidelines. They must be willing to do blood tests and a 12-minute elliptical workout, and they need to speak English.

Inclusion Criteria

I am a full-time student aged 18-34 at the investigator's university.

Generally healthy participants answering 'no' to all 7 questions on the 2020 Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire

Participants in sedentary group (<30min/week of exercise) or meeting exercise guidelines group (>=150min/week of exercise)

Exclusion Criteria

I don't have a way to get to the lab or park there if needed.

Allergy to nuts

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Elliptical Activity (Other)

Trial Overview The study aims to compare how moderate-intensity exercise on an elliptical machine affects biomarkers in physically active versus sedentary college students. It also looks at the impact of such activity on their mental health.

Participant Groups

Group I: Sedentary Individuals - Acute Moderate-Intensity Exercise Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

8 minutes of elliptical exercise at a moderate intensity based on heart rate reserve. There will be a 2-minute warm-up and 2-minute cool down period in addition to the 8 minutes at moderate-intensity.

Group II: Active Individuals - Acute Moderate-Intensity Exercise Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

8 minutes of elliptical exercise at a moderate intensity based on heart rate reserve. There will be a 2-minute warm-up and 2-minute cool down period in addition to the 8 minutes at moderate-intensity.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Georgia

Lead Sponsor

Trials

109

Recruited

43,500+

Dr. Biao He

University of Georgia

Chief Executive Officer

PhD in Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Hank Radziewicz

University of Georgia

Chief Medical Officer

MD from Duke University, MSCR from Emory University

Findings from Research

Regular physical activity significantly improves cardiovascular health, with effects comparable to traditional risk factors like smoking and high cholesterol, especially when engaging in intensive activities that exceed 6 METs.

Increasing cardiorespiratory fitness by just 1 MET can reduce cardiovascular risk by about 20%, and while exercise can pose a risk of sudden cardiac death, this risk is greatly mitigated by consistent training, making the overall benefits of exercise very favorable.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Cardiorespiratory fitness. Importance of sports for health]. Schmermund, A.[2006]

A novel Internet-mediated, pedometer-based exercise intervention for veterans with COPD led to significant improvements in health-related quality of life (HRQL) domains, particularly in Symptoms and Impact, after 4 months.

Participants in the intervention group increased their daily step counts by an average of 779 steps compared to the control group, indicating that the program effectively encouraged physical activity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An Internet-Mediated Pedometer-Based Program Improves Health-Related Quality-of-Life Domains and Daily Step Counts in COPD: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Moy, ML., Collins, RJ., Martinez, CH., et al.[2022]

Engaging in both moderate endurance exercise and specific strength training programs significantly enhances physical performance and improves cardiovascular health, making them essential for managing cardiovascular risk factors and diseases.

Higher-intensity interval training is now recommended alongside traditional exercise methods, with a focus on personalized load control to optimize recovery and performance, emphasizing that increasing daily activity, such as achieving over 7500 to 10,000 steps, also contributes positively to cardiovascular health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Sport and exercise in prevention and therapy of cardiovascular diseases]. Hacke, C., Weisser, B.[2021]

Incorporating lifestyle interventions, particularly moderate-intensity exercise, alongside pharmacological therapy is crucial for preventing further cardiovascular diseases, as recommended by the American Heart Association and American College of Sports Medicine.

Regular exercise (30-40 minutes, four to five times a week) can significantly improve cardiovascular health by enhancing risk factors like dyslipoproteinemia and insulin resistance, normalizing endothelial function, and slowing down atherosclerosis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Physical exercise in secondary prevention of coronary heart disease]. Shutt, A., Bolotova, EV., Khalle, M.[2017]

Regular exercise significantly benefits patients with heart disease by improving exercise tolerance, controlling risk factors, and potentially influencing the progression of coronary artery disease.

Patients should follow physician-guided exercise plans that include dynamic endurance activities and moderate-intensity circuit weight training, with a recommended duration of 2 to 3 hours per week, while high-risk patients should exercise at lower intensities.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Heart patient and sports]. Niederhauser, HU.[2008]

Exercising in reverse on a modified elliptical trainer at lower inclines (6° and 12°) resulted in greater peak knee valgus and hip abduction, which may be important for individuals with knee issues, but also led to decreased peak knee flexion angles.

For individuals looking to strengthen their quadriceps safely, exercising in the forward direction or increasing the incline on the elliptical trainer may be more beneficial, despite the potential risks associated with knee joint kinematics.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Movement direction impacts knee joint kinematics during elliptical exercise at varying incline angles. Hummer, ET., Murphy, EN., Suprak, DN., et al.[2021]

Indoor cycling classes can reach high exercise intensities, with participants spending significant time (52% and 35% of class duration) above the ventilatory threshold, indicating a high level of exertion.

Despite a moderate average intensity (74% and 66% of Vo2max), there were instances where the exercise intensity exceeded Vo2max, suggesting that indoor cycling can be classified as a high-intensity workout, which may enhance its effectiveness but also increase the risk of overexertion.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physiologic responses during indoor cycling. Battista, RA., Foster, C., Andrew, J., et al.[2022]

Eccentrically-focused resistance exercise (ECC RX) resulted in significantly higher heart rates and oxygen consumption compared to concentrically-focused resistance exercise (CON RX), indicating a greater metabolic and cardiopulmonary demand during ECC RX.

Participants reported higher levels of soreness and increased inflammatory cytokine TNFα after ECC RX, suggesting that while it may be more effective for muscle engagement, it could also pose a higher risk of discomfort and inflammation, especially for untrained individuals or those with cardiovascular concerns.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acute Effects of Enhanced Eccentric and Concentric Resistance Exercise on Metabolism and Inflammation. Vincent, HK., Percival, S., Creasy, R., et al.[2020]

When exercising at the same perceived exertion level, both treadmills and elliptical devices result in similar oxygen consumption and energy expenditure, making them comparable for cardiovascular workouts.

Despite a higher heart rate observed on the elliptical, the overall effectiveness in terms of oxygen use and energy burned is similar to that of the treadmill, suggesting that ellipticals can be a suitable alternative for cross-training.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of energy expenditure on a treadmill vs. an elliptical device at a self-selected exercise intensity. Brown, GA., Cook, CM., Krueger, RD., et al.[2016]

Sitting on a stability ball during arm ergometry resulted in a significantly higher peak VO2 (8% to 12% increase) compared to sitting on a chair, indicating a greater metabolic response during exercise.

While heart rate was also higher when using the stability ball at peak exercise levels, the overall impact on heart rate was minimal, suggesting that exercise intensity prescriptions should focus on absolute metabolic levels rather than percentages of maximum.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Stability Ball Sitting Elevates Peak Arm Ergometry Oxygen Consumption and Heart Rate. Marks, CR., Dupuie, L., Patros, J.[2019]

Regular physical activity is a crucial intervention for preventing coronary artery disease, significantly reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality through various biochemical pathways, unlike conventional drug therapies.

While moderate exercise is beneficial, higher intensity workouts may offer superior effects; however, excessive training can lead to negative outcomes like atrial fibrillation, indicating a threshold for optimal exercise benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Prevention of cardiovascular diseases through sport and physical activity: A question of intensity?]. Wernhart, S., Dinic, M., Pressler, A., et al.[2018]

During maximal elliptical crosstrainer (ECT) exercise, heart rate reserve (%HRR) is more closely aligned with the reserve of oxygen uptake (%VO2R) rather than the maximum oxygen uptake (%VO2max), indicating a more accurate measure of exercise intensity.

The relationships between %HRR vs. %VO2R and %HRR vs. %VO2max were found to be equivalent for both ECT and treadmill exercise, suggesting that both modes of exercise yield similar maximal physiological responses.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Relationship Between %Heart Rate Reserve And %VO2 Reserve During Elliptical Crosstrainer Exercise. Dalleck, LC., Kravitz, L.[2021]

Epidemiologic studies indicate that engaging in vigorous intensity exercise (≥6 METs) significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease more than moderate intensity exercise, suggesting a stronger cardioprotective effect.

Clinical trials show that vigorous intensity exercise (≥60% aerobic capacity) leads to greater improvements in diastolic blood pressure, glucose control, and aerobic capacity compared to moderate intensity exercise, although both intensities have similar effects on systolic blood pressure, lipid profiles, and body fat loss.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of cardioprotective benefits of vigorous versus moderate intensity aerobic exercise. Swain, DP., Franklin, BA.[2022]

A low-volume resistive exercise protocol significantly increased lactate levels, peaking at 8.54 mM, indicating a strong metabolic response to the exercise.

Despite the rise in lactate, the exercise did not lead to significant changes in peripheral beta-endorphin (B-EN) or cortisol concentrations, suggesting that lactate elevation does not directly influence these hormones in this context.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of low-volume resistive exercise on beta-endorphin and cortisol concentrations. Kraemer, RR., Acevedo, EO., Dzewaltowski, D., et al.[2013]

References

1. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Cardiorespiratory fitness. Importance of sports for health]. [2006]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An Internet-Mediated Pedometer-Based Program Improves Health-Related Quality-of-Life Domains and Daily Step Counts in COPD: A Randomized Controlled Trial. [2022]

3. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Sport and exercise in prevention and therapy of cardiovascular diseases]. [2021]

4. Russia (Federation) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Physical exercise in secondary prevention of coronary heart disease]. [2017]

5. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Heart patient and sports]. [2008]

6. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Movement direction impacts knee joint kinematics during elliptical exercise at varying incline angles. [2021]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physiologic responses during indoor cycling. [2022]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acute Effects of Enhanced Eccentric and Concentric Resistance Exercise on Metabolism and Inflammation. [2020]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of energy expenditure on a treadmill vs. an elliptical device at a self-selected exercise intensity. [2016]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Stability Ball Sitting Elevates Peak Arm Ergometry Oxygen Consumption and Heart Rate. [2019]

11. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Prevention of cardiovascular diseases through sport and physical activity: A question of intensity?]. [2018]

12. Turkey pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Relationship Between %Heart Rate Reserve And %VO2 Reserve During Elliptical Crosstrainer Exercise. [2021]

13. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of cardioprotective benefits of vigorous versus moderate intensity aerobic exercise. [2022]

14. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of low-volume resistive exercise on beta-endorphin and cortisol concentrations. [2013]