Effects of Metformin on Exercise Capacity in Young Adults
Short-Term Metformin Use in Young, Healthy Adults: Impacts on the Blood Lactate Response to Exercise and Time-to-exhaustion in a Placebo-controlled, Crossover Study
This study is testing if taking metformin affects how well young, healthy adults can exercise compared to those taking a placebo.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 4 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 30 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Virginia Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Charlottesville, Virginia) |
| Trial ID | NCT06638671 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the impact of short-term metformin use on exercise capacity in young, healthy adults aged 18-30. Participants will undergo five exercise tests on a stationary bike, body composition assessments, and will take either metformin or a placebo while maintaining food and symptom logs. The researchers aim to determine whether metformin affects aerobic capacity, hypothesizing that it may reduce exercise performance due to its metabolic effects on skeletal muscle.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy young adults aged 18-30 who are recreationally active and have a BMI under 30.
Not a fit: Patients with a history of cardiometabolic diseases or those currently using medications that significantly alter glucose regulation may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights into how metformin affects exercise capacity, potentially influencing its use in non-diabetic populations.
How similar studies have performed: While metformin is widely studied in diabetic populations, its effects on exercise capacity in healthy individuals are less explored, making this approach relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 18-30 years old * Metformin-naïve * BMI \< 30 kg/m2 * Recreationally active (≥ 3 days/week of exercise) * Females must be premenopausal and report normal menstrual cycles * Willingness and ability to comply with scheduled visits and study procedures. Exclusion Criteria: * History of cardiometabolic disease, such as type 1 or type 2 diabetes * Smoking (must have quit at least 6 mos prior) * Use of medication that significantly alters glucose regulation (e.g., metformin, insulin, GLP-1 receptor agonists, SGLT-2 inhibitors, biguanides) * Severe liver or kidney disease, or medications to treat liver or kidney disease * Pregnant, breastfeeding, or plans to become pregnant during study period
Where this trial is running
Charlottesville, Virginia
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, Virginia, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jason D Allen, PhD — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Emily E Grammer, MS
- Email: erk9nk@uvahealth.org
- Phone: 434-243-8677
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.