Neuromuscular electrical stimulation to prevent exercise resistance

Use of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation to Prevent Exercise Resistance

Not applicable Interventional Colorado State University · NCT07161648

This will try 100 minutes of electrical muscle stimulation in regularly active adults to see if it prevents losing exercise-related improvements in fat metabolism after short sedentary periods.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment30 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 40 Years
SexAll
SponsorColorado State University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Fort Collins, Colorado)
Trial IDNCT07161648 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Exercise resistance refers to the loss of exercise-induced improvements in fat metabolism that can occur after prolonged sedentary behavior between workouts. The protocol induces exercise resistance by having participants abstain from activity other than exercise for short periods, and on a separate visit replaces that inactivity with 100 minutes of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). Metabolic responses to a meal will be measured to determine whether NMES preserves the normal post-exercise fat metabolism. Participants are regularly active adults who can complete treadmill exercise and must attend in-person visits at the Fort Collins site.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are regularly active adults (≥30 minutes per day, ≥3 days/week over the past year) who can complete an hour of treadmill exercise and attend in-person visits at Colorado State University's Fort Collins campus.

Not a fit: People with cardiopulmonary disorders, current cardio-pulmonary medications, pregnancy or breastfeeding, or injuries preventing treadmill exercise are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, NMES could help people maintain the metabolic benefits of exercise despite brief sedentary periods, potentially reducing cardiometabolic risk.

How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show NMES increases muscle contractions and energy expenditure, but using NMES specifically to prevent exercise resistance is a novel approach that has not been proven.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Regularly active (more than 30 minutes of exercise per day, 3 days per week, over the previous 12 months)
* Ability to complete at least one hour of treadmill exercise (i.e. jogging/running),
* Willing to abstain from caffeine and alcohol for 24-hours prior to three different study visits
* Competency in English

Exclusion Criteria:

* Current or previous injuries that may hinder a participant's ability to exercise on a treadmill
* A history of cardiopulmonary disorder that may be contra-indicative to treadmill exercise
* Current use of cardio-pulmonary medication to treat a cardio-pulmonary condition
* Currently breastfeeding
* Pregnancy

Where this trial is running

Fort Collins, Colorado

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 Fat Metabolismexerciseexercise resistanceelectrical stimulation
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.