Understanding why young adults born preterm struggle with exercise

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 study investigates the reasons behind poor aerobic exercise trainability in young adults who were born very preterm (at or before 32 weeks gestation). It focuses on the role of mitochondrial DNA and its variants in influencing the ability to improve aerobic capacity through exercise training. Participants will include both preterm-born individuals and age-matched controls born at term, with assessments of their exercise responses and mitochondrial function. The goal is to identify genetic factors that may contribute to the lack of fitness improvement in this population.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Preterm born (PTB)young adult group: Participants must be inactive (reported exercise \< 150 mins/week; See IPAQ Attachment), males and females aged 18-35 years born preterm with a gestational age \<37 weeks.
* Normal term-born (NTB) young adult control group: Participants must be inactive (reported exercise \< 150 mins/week) and will be age- and sex-matched and born at term (37 gestational age).
* The biological mother of PTB participants: The PTB biological birth mother must be the one who gave birth to the participant and the one from whom the child inherited half of its genetic background (i.e., DNA).
* PTB and NTB young adults must pass the PAR-Q+ Questionnaire assessment, indicating readiness to begin a moderate-intensity exercise training program. We will follow the American College of Sports Medicine\'s aerobic exercise training program participation guidelines. Subjects who are cleared via the PAR-Q+ assessment will be permitted to participate in the training program.

Exclusion Criteria:

• PTB and NTB young adults only: Having a diagnosed bronchopulmonary hyperplasia, cardiovascular (cardiac or peripheral arterial disease), metabolic (Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 or 2), or renal or liver disease, and signs or symptoms of these conditions, including pain: discomfort in the chest, neck, jaw, arms, or other areas that may result from ischemia; shortness of breath at rest or with mild exertion; dizziness or syncope; orthopnea or paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea; ankle edema; palpitations or tachycardia; intermittent claudication; known heart murmur; unusual fatigue or shortness of breath with usual activity.

Where it's running

• Texas Tech University | Kinesiology and Sport Management Building
  Lubbock, Texas, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Heather L Vellers, Ph.D.
• Email: heather.l.vellers@ttu.edu
• Phone: 8068348554

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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.