Understanding how older adults respond to combined exercise training

Multidimensional Predictive Modeling to Understand Mechanisms of Exercise Response Heterogeneity in Older Adults

This study is testing how older adults respond to a mix of endurance and strength training exercises to see how it can improve their health and quality of life.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 250 (estimated)
• Ages: 60 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: chemotherapy
• Locations: 2 sites (Pensacola, Florida and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT06507189 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to explore the variability in exercise responsiveness among older adults by implementing a combined endurance and resistance training program. It seeks to identify the biological mechanisms that contribute to differences in how individuals respond to exercise, which can affect their overall health and quality of life. The research involves an interdisciplinary team and aims to fill knowledge gaps regarding exercise response in aging populations. Participants will be closely monitored to assess their progress and outcomes from the training regimen.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are healthy men and women aged 60 and above who have not engaged in structured exercise for the past year.

Not a fit: Patients with chronic diseases, neuromuscular disorders, or other conditions that limit exercise capacity may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance the effectiveness of exercise programs for older adults, leading to improved health outcomes and quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown varying success in understanding exercise response in older adults, but this approach of combining endurance and resistance training is innovative and less commonly tested.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male or female aged 60 or above
2. Free of chronic disease
3. No structured exercise program (2 or more bouts/wk) within previous 12 months
4. Cognitively capable of providing informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Neuromuscular or musculoskeletal disorder that would limit ability to perform the exercise and/or testing bouts
2. Cardiopulmonary disorders or reduced breathing capacity
3. Metabolic diseases including markers of liver disease (ALT \> 52 U/l) and type 2 diabetes (HbA1C ≥ 6.5, fasting blood glucose ≥ 126 mg/dl)
4. Any other disease or disorder that would influence exercise response (e.g., chronic kidney disease, dementia, current cancer diagnosis or within 2 yr remission, cerebrovascular disease)
5. History of chemotherapy within 5 years
6. Any current infectious disease
7. Life expectancy \< 1 year
8. Insulin sensitizing/blood glucose lowering agents such as metformin
9. High dose statin (dose equivalent to ≥40 mg/d simvastatin)
10. Lidocaine allergy
11. Regular tobacco use and/or vaping
12. Excessive alcohol consumption (3 drinks/d or 7 drinks/wk for females; 4 drinks/d or 14 drinks/wk for males)
13. BMI \< 35.0 kg/m2
14. Unable to commit to \~6 months required to complete the study

Where this trial is running

Pensacola, Florida and 1 other locations

• Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition — Pensacola, Florida, United States (Recruiting)
• Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation — Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Marcas Bamman — Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition
• Study coordinator: Craig Tuggle

Conditions Aging; Aging Well