Home › Trials › NCT06539078
Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Observational Ages 18 to 65

Investigating muscle function and aging

Official title: Exercise as a Countermeasure Against the Effects of Ageing on Muscle Mitochondria, Diffusive Oxygen Transport and Muscle Volume

Run by VU University of Amsterdam · NCT06539078 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study looks at how aging affects muscle function in both active and inactive people of different ages to see if being physically active helps maintain muscle health as we get older.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
Enrollment60 (estimated)
SponsorVU University of Amsterdam
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Amsterdam, North Holland)
StatusRecruiting
StartedMarch 25, 2024
Main results expectedDecember 2025
Study endsDecember 2026
Registry record updatedAugust 6, 2024
Trial IDNCT06539078 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates include young adults aged 18-30 who are either sedentary or endurance-trained, as well as older adults aged 50-65 who are sedentary or endurance-trained.

Probably not a fit

Patients with chronic health conditions affecting exercise tolerance or those not fitting the age or activity criteria may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to explore the impact of aging on skeletal muscle function by comparing physically active and inactive individuals across different age groups. It will utilize advanced techniques such as near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to assess oxygen diffusion capacity in muscles, alongside other non-invasive and invasive measures of mitochondrial function. The study will include young sedentary, young endurance-trained, older sedentary, and older endurance-trained participants to understand how endurance training may mitigate age-related declines in muscle function.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights into how exercise can help maintain muscle function and independence in older adults.

How similar studies have gone: While there is existing literature on muscle aging, this study employs novel techniques that have not been extensively tested in this context.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

In order to be eligible to participate in this study, young sedentary participants must meet all of the following criteria:

* Aged between 18-30 years
* Male or female
* Not currently engaging in any formal exercise training or competitive sports
* No chronic health conditions likely to affect exercise tolerance or the physiological responses to exercise

In order to be eligible to participate in this study, young trained participants must meet all of the following criteria:

* Aged between 18-30 years
* Male or female
* Currently engaging in formal training (at least 3 times per week) in competitive endurance sports
* No chronic health conditions likely to affect exercise tolerance or the physiological responses to exercise

In order to be eligible to participate in this study, older sedentary participants must meet all of the following criteria:

* Aged between 50-65 years
* Male or female
* Not currently engaging in any formal exercise training or competitive sports
* No chronic health conditions likely to affect exercise tolerance or the physiological responses to exercise

In order to be eligible to participate in this study, older trained participants must meet all of the following criteria:

* Aged between 50-65 years
* Male or female
* Currently engaging in formal training (at least 3 times per week) in competitive endurance sports
* No chronic health conditions likely to affect exercise tolerance or the physiological responses to exercise

Exclusion Criteria:

* Age that falls outside of 18-30 years (young groups) or 50-65 years (middle-aged groups)
* Inability to provide informed consent
* History of claustrophobia
* Ineligibility to perform the exercise test described in this study protocol or follow instructions
* Taking any medications known to interfere with the physiological responses to exercise, e.g. e.g. systemic corticosteroids, statins, SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP1 receptor agonists
* Contraindication for MRI (e.g. pacemaker, claustrophobia)
* Being under investigation for non-diagnosed disease at the time of investigation
* Body Mass Index (BMI) \>30 due to adiposity, since this is known to cause difficulties in obtaining muscle biopsies and NIRS measurements
* Pregnancy
* Are current smokers or have been a regular smoker within the last 12 months

Where it's running

  • Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
    Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands     Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Richie Goulding, PhD — VU University of Amsterdam
  • Study coordinator: Ellen Breedveld, MSc
  • Email: e.a.breedveld@vu.nl
  • Phone: +31636318844

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ Find more trials like this →
Browse more
Aging 2413VU University of Amsterdam 4
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.