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Exercise Genes: Genomic Association With Exercise Reinforcement

Exercise Genes: Genomic Association With Exercise Reinforcement

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02416882
Acronym
ExGenes
Enrollment
88
Registered
2015-04-15
Start date
2015-04-30
Completion date
2015-12-31
Last updated
2025-04-11

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Obesity, Overweight, Physical Activity

Keywords

active, not active, normal body weight

Brief summary

This study tests whether different physical activity patterns are linked an individual's genes.

Detailed description

The investigators propose that an individual's genetics are one factor that may be associated with the motivating aspect or attractiveness of exercise and therefore the choice to exercise rather than be sedentary. They propose to study the association of the genomic signatures with the reinforcing (motivating) value of different types of exercise. This has never been investigated and may uncover underlying mechanisms that would help to understand individual differences in exercise motivation. The ultimate impact of this work is a greater number of Americans being physically active, meeting the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) dietary guidelines for physical activity, and maintaining a healthy body weight. This study will be funded and undertaken at the Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center (GFHNRC). The purpose will be to assess genetic underpinnings of the motivating value of resistance and aerobic exercise, and to determine whether the motivating value of aerobic and resistance exercise are associated with usual participation in these modes of exercise.

Interventions

OTHERAerobic Exercise

Subjects will sample and rate their liking of three cardiovascular machines (treadmill, cycle ergometer, elliptical step ergometer) to determine which one will be used during the test.

OTHERResistance Exercise

Subjects will sample and rate their liking of three different resistance training circuits (upper body, lower body, core) to determine which one will be used during the test.

Subjects will rate their liking of three sedentary activities (reading magazines, playing puzzles, completing word games) as an alternative to exercise.

Sponsors

USDA Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center
Lead SponsorFED

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 50 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* BMI within 18.5-35.0 kg/m2 * Healthy enough to exercise * Active or inactive (not exercising at this time)

Exclusion criteria

* Taking any drugs that affect energy expenditure (e.g., thyroid, glucose-lowering drugs) * Have gained or lost more than 5% of body weight over the past 6 months * Use tobacco * Pregnant or lactating or plan to become pregnant in the next 6 months * Have any health conditions that prevent the individual from safely exercising (e.g., cardiovascular, liver, endocrine, or pulmonary diseases)

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Relative reinforcing value (RRV) of physical activityWeek 0 (Cross-sectional)RRV of physical activity will be assessed by evaluating the number of responses (mouse button presses) a subject is willing to complete to gain access to physical activity or a sedentary alternative.
Preference for intense physical activity and tolerance for exercise discomfortWeek 0 (Cross-sectional)Preference for intense physical activity and tolerance for exercise discomfort will be assessed by self-report questionnaire responses.
Genotypes of 23 small nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously identified to influence central dopamine release or uptake, reward, or physical activityWeek 0 (Cross-sectional)SNP genotyping will be performed on 3-5 ml samples of whole blood collected in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-containing tubes followed by allelic-discrimination analysis for the amplification and identification of each SNP.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026