How blood sugar and exercise affect motivation
Impact of Blood Glucose on Motivation States: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study
We will test whether exercise and drinking a sugary versus a non-sugary beverage change motivation in generally healthy adults.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of South Florida Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Tampa, Florida) |
| Trial ID | NCT07255183 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Participants will come to the lab for five visits spaced at least two days apart over about 2–3 weeks to complete sessions involving exercise and consumption of either a sugar-containing or a non-sugar beverage. Blood glucose will be monitored and participants will complete measures of motivation during or after each session to compare states across conditions. Eligibility screening includes body mass index 18–30 kg/m2, generally healthy status without cardiopulmonary, metabolic, or orthopedic limitations, and blood pressure and fasting glucose within specified ranges. Sessions are conducted in-person at the University of South Florida laboratory and require repeated attendance.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are generally healthy adults with a BMI between 18 and 30 kg/m2, acceptable blood pressure and fasting glucose values, and the ability to attend five in-person lab visits in Tampa, Florida.
Not a fit: People with cardiopulmonary, metabolic, or orthopedic disease, high blood pressure (SBP ≥130 or DBP ≥80), fasting glucose <70 or >125 mg/dL, or BMI outside 18–30 kg/m2 are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help people choose when to exercise or what to drink to temporarily boost motivation.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has shown links between glucose, exercise, and reward/motivation in small or related studies, but tightly controlled comparisons of sugar versus non-sugar drinks combined with exercise in the lab are limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Body mass index 18-30 m/kg\^2 * Health Status: generally healthy; no cardiopulmonary/metabolic/orthopedic disease or limitations * Blood Pressure: excluded with SBP of 130+ mmHg or DBP of 80+ mmHg * Glucose Status: excluded and instructed to seek medical consultation if fasting values are \<70 mg/dl or \>125 mg/dl; included but encouraged to seek medical consultation if fasting values are 100-125 mg/dl Exclusion Criteria: * None
Where this trial is running
Tampa, Florida
- University of South Florida — Tampa, Florida, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Marcus Kilpatrick, PhD
- Email: mkilpatrick@usf.edu
- Phone: 813-362-6696
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.