How fitness, heart health, and mental well-being relate to assisted fertility treatments
Official title: Effects of Physical Activity and Fitness, Cardiovascular- and Psychosocial Health on Medically Assisted Reproduction
Run by University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland · NCT07321665 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tries to see if physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, cardiovascular health, sleep, and stress affect pregnancy chances for women undergoing assisted fertility treatments.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 43 Years |
| Sex | Women only |
| Enrollment | 115 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Basel) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 16, 2026 |
| Main results expected | January 2030 |
| Study ends | January 2030 |
| Registry record updated | January 21, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07321665 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Women aged 18–43 who plan to undergo medically assisted reproduction (IUI, IVF, or ICSI), can provide informed consent, are not currently pregnant, and are physically able to perform cardiopulmonary exercise testing are the ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
People with severe chronic disease, uncontrolled hypertension or thyroid disease, severe renal or liver impairment, current illicit drug abuse, or those unable to perform exercise testing or attend study procedures are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a prospective observational study following women aged 18–43 who plan to undergo medically assisted reproduction (IUI, IVF, ICSI) at University Hospital Basel. Researchers will record physical activity, measure cardiorespiratory fitness with exercise testing, and collect cardiovascular markers (including retinal microvascular imaging), psychosocial measures, sleep quality, stress, and cognitive function. These health and lifestyle measures will be related to treatment outcomes such as clinical pregnancy rates across ART cycles. No experimental treatments are given; the study aims to identify associations that could guide preconception care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to modifiable lifestyle or fitness factors that improve pregnancy chances and help tailor pre‑treatment advice for women undergoing ART.
How similar studies have gone: Some prior studies have suggested moderate physical activity may improve ART outcomes but findings are inconsistent, and combining fitness, cardiovascular microvascular markers, and psychosocial measures in this way is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Voluntary written informed consent of the participant has been obtained prior to any screening procedures * Age 18-43 * Planning to undergo MAR (eg, IUI, IVF, ICSI) - Physically able to cycle for cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) Exclusion Criteria: * Any reduction in general state of health preventing from performing hormonal stimulation for MAR * Absolute and relative contraindications for cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) - No pregnancy at initial screening - Current illicit drug abuse including daily marijuana and CBD consumption (alcohol ≤2 drinks per day allowed) * Any kind of severe chronic disease (e.g. severe heart failure, active cancer disease) * Severe renal impairment (e.g. estimated glomerular filtration rate \<30 ml/min/m2) * Known liver cirrhosis or other severe liver impairment * Uncontrolled dysthyroidism * Uncontrolled hypertension * Inability to follow the procedures of the study, e.g. due to language problems, psychological disorders, etc.
Where it's running
-
University Hospital Basel
Basel, Switzerland Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: James Geiger, MD
- Email: james.geiger@usb.ch
- Phone: 0041 61 328 79 57
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.