Exercise for Aging
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to explore differences in muscle, blood, and urine between older adults who lead a sedentary lifestyle and those who are elite athletes. Researchers will collect samples and test physical and cognitive abilities to understand how exercise affects body composition and function in older age. Participants should be healthy adults between 65 and 80 years old, either elite athletes or those engaging in less than an hour of structured exercise per week. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the opportunity to contribute to valuable research on aging and exercise.
Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?
The trial information does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, it does mention that any medication changes must be stable for at least 3 months prior to retesting for certain conditions. It's best to discuss your specific medications with the trial coordinators.
What prior data suggests that this observational study is safe for participants?
Research has shown that exercising at a high level is generally safe, even for older adults. Elite athletes, regardless of age, often exhibit excellent heart health, strength, and flexibility. Studies suggest these athletes perform near their body's full potential, helping them remain fit and healthy as they age.
For participants who are not elite athletes and exercise less than 60 minutes a week, observing their natural state poses no risk. The study involves only observation and testing of natural abilities and health markers, with no treatments or interventions. Therefore, safety concerns are absent since no experimental treatments are involved.
Overall, this observational study aims to understand natural health differences rather than test new treatments, ensuring safety is not an issue.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about the MOVE trial because it's exploring how exercise might optimize molecular health in older adults. Unlike typical treatments that focus on medications or supplements, this trial examines the impact of exercise as a natural intervention. It specifically looks at how different levels of physical activity, from elite athletic training to minimal exercise, affect the health of older adults at a molecular level. This approach could uncover ways to harness exercise as a powerful tool for maintaining health in aging, potentially offering a more holistic and accessible option compared to conventional treatments.
Who Is on the Research Team?
John C Newman, MD PhD
Principal Investigator
Buck Institute
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Enrollment and Initial Assessment
Informed consent obtained, medical history, screening blood sample, physical assessment, exercise history interview, and familiarization with testing equipment
Maximal Exercise and Cognitive Testing
Maximal exercise testing, quality of life assessment, and cognitive function testing
Bio-specimen Collection
Thigh muscle sample collection via needle biopsy and blood sample collection
Follow-up
Optional follow-up visits at 12 and 24 months after completion of the main study
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Observational
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
This cohort will include healthy older adults, aged 65y or over, who are elite athletes for their age (determined by interview and VO2max)
This cohort will include healthy older adults, aged 65y or over, who participate in less than 60 minutes of structured exercise each week.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Buck Institute for Research on Aging
Lead Sponsor
Citations
2 simple tests to see how your fitness compares with elite ...
SAFE measures older athletes' cardiovascular health, muscular strength and power, flexibility and balance to benchmark their fitness by age.
Geriatric medicine and Olympic elite sports—parallels and ...
Elite athletes and older people are operating at the margins of physiological capacity. Both benefit from tailored, scientifically informed ...
Sustained Athlete Fitness Exam (SAFE)
The SAFE is designed to help older athletes improve their performance. This is not a comparison to community-dwelling older adults. Perfect scores are RARE.
4.
deseret.com
deseret.com/lifestyle/2025/10/17/senior-elite-athletes-physical-fitness-test-strength-aerobic/Is there a fitness test for senior competitive athletes?
A physical therapy professor developed a fitness test for competitive senior athletes. The Sustained Athlete Fitness Exam has muscular, ...
No Age Limit: Optimizing Performance as a Senior Athlete
Seniors can defy age-related stereotypes by embracing an athletic lifestyle that promotes physical well-being and longevity. It's never too late to start.
Unbiased Results
We believe in providing patients with all the options.
Your Data Stays Your Data
We only share your information with the clinical trials you're trying to access.
Verified Trials Only
All of our trials are run by licensed doctors, researchers, and healthcare companies.