Skeletal Muscle Mitochondria in Ageing
ConditionAging
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot listed
Trial typeObservational
Biological sexAll
Age18-65
SponsorVU University of Amsterdam
About this trial
Healthy ageing is associated with the loss of muscle mass and physical function. As a result, older people are limited in their independence. The aging of muscles typically begins around the age of 30. From this age onward, muscle strength, muscle mass, and the maximum oxygen uptake of muscles decrease. The reasons for this are not entirely clear, but it seems to be partly related to how oxygen moves from our blood vessels to the muscles and how muscles burn energy. The precise role of age and physical fitness, as well as whether exercise can counteract the effects of ageing, is still unknown. Therefore, in this study, we aim to investigate the muscle function of both physically active and inactive young and middle-aged individuals. We hypothesise that endurance training can mitigate some of the effects of ageing.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
Aged between 18-30 years
Male or female
Not currently engaging in any formal exercise training or competitive sports
No chronic health conditions likely to affect exercise tolerance or the physiological responses to exercise
Disqualifiers
Age that falls outside of 18-30 years (young groups) or 50-65 years (middle-aged groups)
Inability to provide informed consent
History of claustrophobia
Ineligibility to perform the exercise test described in this study protocol or follow instructions
Trial population
15 sedentary and 15 endurance-trained young and middle-aged individuals will be recruited per age group (i.e. a total of 60 individuals spanning 4 groups). An equal balance of the sexes will be aimed for in each group. All participants will be recruited from specific social media groups, through personal networks of friends, family and colleagues, flyers and posters at local sports clubs and on the VU Campus. All testing will be conducted at the VU or in the Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine at Amsterdam UMC location AMC. Therefore, participants should be currently residing in or willing to travel to Amsterdam.
Trial design
Design model
Case-control
Time perspective
Cross-sectional
Treatments tested in this trial
Maximal exercise test
Other interventionParticipants will undertake an incremental ramp test on a cycle ergometer to determine maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) and the gas exchange threshold (GET). Throughout the exercise test, muscle oxygenation and deoxygenation will be monitored by NIRS.
3D Ultrasound
Other interventionMuscle volume and morphological characteristics will be assessed via 3D ultrasound imaging.
Dynamometry
Other interventionTo determine the contractile properties of the knee extensors, participants will perform maximal isometric and isoinertial contractions of the knee extensors on a dynamometer.
Exercise test and occlusions
Other interventionParticipants will perform a series of moderate-intensity constant power output exercise bouts on a cycle ergometer following which the recovery rates of muscle V̇O2 will be determined via a series of intermittent arterial occlusions. Throughout all tests, pulmonary gas exchange and ventilation will be determined and muscle oxygenation and deoxygenation will be monitored by NIRS.
Exercise test in MRI
Other interventionExercise will be performed on a custom-built magnetic resonance-compatible cycle ergometer in supine position for determination of muscle phosphocreatine recovery kinetics using 31phosphorous magnetic resonance spectroscopy \[31P-MRS\].
Muscle biopsy
Procedure/SurgeryA muscle biopsy will be obtained from the vastus lateralis using a modified Bergström needle technique with suction.
Treatment groups
60 Participants
are divided into 4 treatment groupsGroup A: Young, sedentary participants6 interventions
Group B: Young endurance-trained participants6 interventions
Group C: Middle-aged, sedentary participants6 interventions
Group D: Middle-aged endurance-trained participants6 interventions
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max)
ml/min/kg
Time frame
Baseline (visit 1)2
Muscle volume
cm\^3
Time frame
Baseline (visit 1)3
Muscle strength
Newton-metre (Nm)
Time frame
Baseline (visit 1)4
Muscle power
Watt (W)
Time frame
Baseline (visit 1)Secondary outcomes
1
Gas exchange and ventilatory variables (gas exchange threshold, respiratory compensation point, maximal ventilation)
L/min
Time frame
Baseline (visit 1)2
(Peak) power output
Watt (W)
Time frame
Baseline (visit 1)3
Mean response time of the V̇O2 slope during ramp exercise
sec
Time frame
Baseline (visit 1)4
(Maximum) heart rate (HR)
beats per minute (bpm)
Time frame
Baseline (visit 1) and during visit 2-4 (max 4 weeks in total)Sponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov