How young adults' thigh muscles change after five days of strict bedrest
Changes in Muscle Mass, Strength, and Muscle Protein Synthesis in Response to 5 Days of Bedrest in Young, Healthy Adults
We will test whether five days of strict bedrest changes muscle size, strength, fatigue resistance, and whole-body insulin sensitivity in healthy 18–30-year-olds.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 12 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 30 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Queen's University Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Kingston, Ontario) |
| Trial ID | NCT07178353 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Healthy, recreationally active adults aged 18–30 will complete baseline testing, a free-living control period, and a 5-day inpatient horizontal bedrest period with repeat testing. Measurements before and after each period include thigh muscle MRI, strength testing, mixed-meal insulin sensitivity and exogenous glucose oxidation, muscle biopsies, and blood sampling. The protocol is designed to quantify changes in muscle volume, muscle protein synthesis, mitochondrial function, and whole-body metabolic responses caused by short-term disuse. Data will compare within-subject changes from the control period to the bedrest period to isolate the effects of short-term inactivity.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are generally healthy, recreationally active men and women aged 18–30 with BMI 18.5–28 kg/m2, stable weight, no major cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, neuromuscular, or bone-wasting diseases, no medications that affect muscle protein turnover, and no disallowed metal implants or coagulation disorders.
Not a fit: People with chronic metabolic, cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromuscular or bone diseases, those using insulin or medications affecting muscle turnover, individuals with BMI outside 18.5–28, older adults, or those with disqualifying implants or clotting disorders would not be eligible and are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could identify the earliest muscle and metabolic changes from short hospital stays and inform ways to prevent or treat rapid muscle loss and insulin resistance.
How similar studies have performed: Previous short-term bedrest studies of 3–7 days have consistently shown rapid declines in muscle protein synthesis, mitochondrial function, and insulin sensitivity, so this protocol builds on established findings.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Males and females 18-30 years * BMI between 18.5-28 kg/m2 * Weight stable (within ±2kg for 6 months) * Generally healthy as assessed by medical and physical activity questionnaires * recreationally active Exclusion Criteria: * a BMI \< 18.5 and \> 28 kg/m2 * the use of insulin to control blood glucose levels * a history of any cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic diseases, neuromuscular or bone-wasting diseases * the use of any medication that may affect muscle protein turnover (e.g. androgen or anabolic hormone therapy, chemotherapy) * a (family) history of thrombosis, platelet or coagulation disorders, or antiplatelet therapy and the use of anticoagulant medications * the presence of any unremoved, or partially removed metals underneath the skin * a history of head or eye injury involving metal fragments * have some type of implanted electrical device (such as a cardiac pacemaker or neurostimulator) * have implanted metal objects as a result of surgery, such as artificial joints, aneurysm clips, metal staples * are, or may be, pregnant * are wearing metal braces on their teeth.
Where this trial is running
Kingston, Ontario
- Queen's Univeristy — Kingston, Ontario, Canada (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Chris McGlory, PhD. — Queen's University
- Study coordinator: Chris McGlory, PhD.
- Email: chris.mcglory@queensu.ca
- Phone: 6135336000
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.