Kidney blood flow changes during exercise in older African American adults

Neurovascular Control of Renal Blood Flow During Exercise in Older African American Adults

Not applicable Interventional University of Massachusetts, Boston · NCT07029165

This study will test whether healthy older African American adults have larger drops in kidney blood flow during exercise, cold exposure, and mental stress than White adults.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment12 (estimated)
Ages55 Years to 79 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Massachusetts, Boston Academic / other
Locations1 site (Boston, Massachusetts)
Trial IDNCT07029165 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Researchers will bring eligible older adults to a single lab visit where participants will perform supine cycling, a cold hand (cold pressor) test, and a timed mental math task while investigators measure kidney blood flow and related physiological responses. The protocol compares responses between self-identified African American and White participants who meet strict health and activity criteria. Participants are recreationally active, free of cardiovascular, renal, metabolic disease, and not taking related medications. This preliminary work aims to clarify whether racial differences in acute kidney blood flow reactions to everyday stresses could contribute to long-term disparities in heart and kidney disease.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy, recreationally active older adults who self-identify as African American or White, were born in the United States with both biological parents of the same racial identity, are fluent in English, and do not have hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular or renal disease, or current tobacco use.

Not a fit: People with existing heart or kidney disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, current smoking, pregnancy or lactation, or those taking cardiovascular/antihypertensive/renal medications are unlikely to benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help explain racial differences in heart and kidney disease risk and guide future prevention or monitoring strategies for older adults.

How similar studies have performed: Prior physiology studies have measured kidney blood flow responses to exercise and stress, but most included predominantly White participants, making the focused racial comparison in this protocol relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Self-report as either African American or White racial identity
* Born in United States
* Both biological parents identify as same racial identity as participant
* Recreationally active (participating in physical activity for at least 20 minutes per day, at least three times per week, but not training for competitive events)
* Fluent in English

Exclusion Criteria:

* Hispanic or Latino
* Females who are pregnant or lactating
* Cardiovascular or renal disease
* Hypertension (blood pressure of more than or equal to 130/80 mmHg)
* Diabetes
* Obesity (body mass index of more than or equal to 30 kg/m2)
* Smoker/Tobacco user
* Acute medical conditions
* Taking prescribed cardiovascular, antihypertensive, or renal medications

Where this trial is running

Boston, Massachusetts

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions HealthyExerciseCold stressMental stress
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.