Minimum exercise intensity that helps sedentary adults get fitter
Minimum Effective Exercise Intensity for Improving Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Cardiometabolic Health in Sedentary Individuals
NA · UKK Institute · NCT07418619
We're testing whether relatively low-intensity exercise can help sedentary 30–50-year-olds improve cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiometabolic health.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 30 Years to 55 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UKK Institute (other) |
| Locations | 2 sites (Tampere, Pirkanmaa and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07418619 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized controlled intervention enrolls sedentary adults aged 30–50 and includes a 2-week baseline period followed by two consecutive 6-week intervention periods. Participants are randomized to different prescribed exercise intensities or to a non-exercise control group, with intensity prescribed relative to oxygen uptake reserve and analyzed retrospectively against the first ventilatory threshold. The study compares changes in cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiometabolic risk factors between groups and examines how background factors explain individual differences in response. Potential modifiers such as sex, baseline values, diet, daily physical activity and sedentary behavior, and non-invasive stress markers are analyzed.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are sedentary men and women aged 30–50 who are not currently doing regular exercise and meet the study's health criteria.
Not a fit: People with cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, or metabolic diseases, resting blood pressure over 160/100 mmHg, or a BMI of 35 or higher are excluded and would not benefit from participation in this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could identify a low-effort exercise dose that reliably improves fitness and reduces cardiometabolic risk for sedentary adults.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research shows that exercise intensity influences fitness and metabolic health, but the precise minimum effective intensity for sedentary adults is not well established and this trial addresses that gap.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 30-50-year old males and females * Sedentary, not participating in regular exercise training/physical activity Exclusion Criteria: * Cardiovascular symptoms/diseases * Musculoskeletal symptoms/diseases * Metabolic diseases * Resting blood pressure \> 160/100 mmHg * Body mass index ≥ 35
Where this trial is running
Tampere, Pirkanmaa and 1 other locations
- UKK institute for Health Promotion Research — Tampere, Pirkanmaa, Finland (RECRUITING)
- Paavo Nurmi Centre — Turku, Southwest Finland, Finland (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Olli-Pekka S Nuuttila, PhD
- Email: olli-pekka.nuuttila@ukkinstituutti.fi
- Phone: +358505946170
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.
Conditions: Sedentary Individuals Not Participating in Regular Exercise Training/Physical Activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, cardiometabolic health, exercise training, exercise intensity