Muscle features linked to insulin resistance and cardiometabolic risk

Is this trial a fit for you?

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

What this trial studies

This observational project investigates how skeletal muscle fiber type, capillary density, and metabolic capacity relate to insulin sensitivity and cardiometabolic risk. Participants undergo a detailed lab day with body measurements, blood tests, a glucose tolerance test, muscle and fat tissue sampling, and functional tests, followed by ten days of real-world activity tracking and continuous glucose monitoring. A full-body MRI and leg imaging are used to map muscle and bone characteristics. The study also collects lifestyle data, including diet, sleep, stress, and physical activity. The aim is to understand cause-and-effect relationships and how factors like physical activity influence muscle-driven glucose handling.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Sex: Males and females
* Age: 20-30 years
* BMI \<35
* Healthy (no diagnosed chronic disease)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Chronic disease deemed to affect study outcomes
* Disease that increase haemorrhage risk
* Daily intake of medication that could confound study outcomes
* Regular smokers
* Active pregnancy
* Immobilization (inactivity due to injury or illness, e.g. cast or brace) for more than a week in the month prior to the study or for more than 4 weeks in the past 6 months prior to the study
* Very high structured physical exercise level (\>10 h/week).
* Participants not willing to adhere to standardized meal prescriptions included in the study protocols will also be excluded (due to e.g. allergies or specific dietary preferences)

Where it's running

• Ghent University
  Ghent, East Flanders, Belgium Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Eline Lievens, Professor
• Email: eline.lievens@ugent.be
• Phone: 00320478312585

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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.