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Effects of Different Exercises on Energy Metabolism and Muscle Activation in Normal-Weight and Overweight Students

Effects of Different Exercises on Energy Metabolism and Muscle Activation in Normal-Weight and Overweight Students

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07147985
Enrollment
38
Registered
2025-08-29
Start date
2025-07-01
Completion date
2025-07-21
Last updated
2025-08-29

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

Conditions

Energy Expenditure

Keywords

slow jogging, step frequency, energy expenditure, college students

Brief summary

This clinical trial aims to investigate the effects of different exercise modalities on energy metabolism and muscle activation in both normal-weight and overweight university students. The main question it aims to answer is: Compared to normal-weight university students, does slow jogging at different step frequencies reduce body weight and increase energy expenditure (and metabolic rate) in overweight university students? Compared to normal-weight university students, does slow jogging at different step frequencies enhance muscle activation effects in overweight university students? Researchers will compare three distinct step frequencies during slow jogging (162, 180, and 198 steps per minute) to determine which exercise modality is potentially more effective for increasing energy expenditure and metabolic rate. Participants will: Participants will sequentially undergo three separate testing sessions, each involving ultra-slow running at one of the three step frequencies (162, 180, or 198 steps per minute). Testing sessions will occur once per week in the laboratory.

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL162 step frequency

The exercise protocol lasted 21 minutes, comprising a 10-minute period of slow-pace running, preceded by a 3-minute quiet resting period and a 3-minute warm-up, and followed by a 5-minute recovery period after the warm-up and slow-pace running. 162 steps per minute crossover to 180 steps per minute and 198 steps per minute.

BEHAVIORAL180 step frequency

The exercise protocol lasted 21 minutes, comprising a 10-minute period of slow-pace running, preceded by a 3-minute quiet resting period and a 3-minute warm-up, and followed by a 5-minute recovery period after the warm-up and slow-pace running. 180 steps per minute crossover to 162 steps per minute and 198 steps per minute.

BEHAVIORAL198 step frequency

The exercise protocol lasted 21 minutes, comprising a 10-minute period of slow-pace running, preceded by a 3-minute quiet resting period and a 3-minute warm-up, and followed by a 5-minute recovery period after the warm-up and slow-pace running. 198 steps per minute crossover to 162 steps per minute and 180 steps per minute.

Sponsors

Shanxi Normal University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
19 Years to 23 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

1. Aged 18 to 23 years old; 2. BMI between 24.0 kg/m² and 27.9 kg/m² ; 3. No participation in any structured weight loss or weight control interventions (including exercise programs, pharmacological agents, or dietary regimens) within the preceding three months; 4. Cleared for exercise participation with no identified risks, as determined by the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q); 5. Willing and able to comply fully with the experimental protocol, including completion of all training sessions and required measurements; 6. Provision of written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

1. History of psychiatric disorders, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, hypertension, anemia, or any other contraindications to exercise (e.g., dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath); 2. Immune dysfunction or severe hepatic or renal insufficiency; 3. Unhealthy habits, such as regular smoking or excessive alcohol consumption; 4. Current use of prescription medication (excluding contraceptives or incidental short-term medications, if specified and approved by the study investigators); 5. Coagulation disorders or a significant bleeding tendency. Withdrawal and Termination Criteria: 1. Voluntary withdrawal from the study or discontinuation for any other reason; 2. Poor compliance, defined as failure to follow instructions or complete assigned tasks as required by the protocol; 3. Experiencing severe exercise intolerance or adverse reactions to the intervention.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Electromyographic indicatorsthrough study completion, an average of 4 weeksWireless surface EMG data were acquired using the Trigno system (Delsys®, USA) at 2000 Hz. Electrodes were positioned at the mid-belly of each muscle parallel to the muscle fiber orientation. Signals were recorded from the:Biceps femoris、Rectus femoris、Tibialis anterior、Lateral gastrocnemius、Medial gastrocnemius. EMGworks Analysis® software (Delsys) processed raw signals.
Resting Energy Expenditure (REE)BaselineSubjects abstained from strenuous activity, substances (medication/alcohol/caffeine), and smoking 24h pre-test; females avoided menstruation. Post 12h fast/sleep, subjects rested seated 15min. Resting HR measured (Polar RS400). Subjects fitted with cardiopulmonary telemetry (Cortex Metamax 3B), positioned supine. Maintained steady breathing, upward gaze, minimal movement. HR/V̇O₂ monitored until stabilization. 10min data collection; steady state = \<5% V̇O₂ fluctuation over 5min.
Energy Expenditure at Step Frequenciesthrough study completion, an average of 4 weeksTelemetry/HR monitor worn for 3min warm-up. First test: 10min treadmill run (5 km/h) with HR/V̇O₂ recording. Two subsequent sessions followed. Randomized crossover prevented order effects: subjects drew lots for step frequency sequence (162, 180, 198 steps/min). Metronome ensured adherence.
Heart ratethrough study completion, an average of 4 weeksUpon entering the laboratory, subjects wore a heart rate telemetry monitor (RS400 Polar, Finland) and rested seated for 15 minutes to obtain resting heart rate. Following warm-up, subjects commenced testing. A heart rate monitor was secured on the right wrist pre-exercise to continuously monitor heart rate during activity.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption (EPOC)through study completion, an average of 4 weeksEPOC was calculated from pre-/post-exercise oxygen consumption (O₂PRE/O₂POST) measured via portable cardiopulmonary telemetry (Cortex Metamax 3B): EPOC (L) = O₂POST (L) - O₂PRE (L) where: EPOC denotes excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, O₂POST represents post-exercise oxygen consumption, and O₂PRE represents pre-exercise oxygen consumption.
Fat Oxidationthrough study completion, an average of 4 weeksFat Oxidation Data were collected and analyzed using the portable cardiopulmonary telemetry system (Cortex Metamax 3B, Germany). The fat oxidation rate was calculated as follows: Fat oxidation rate (g/min) = ② Fat Oxidation Fat oxidation rate was derived as: 1.695 × V̇O₂ (L/min) - 1.701 × V̇CO₂ (L/min) (g/min) using mean V̇O₂/V̇CO₂ from final 2min of each stage. ③ Carbohydrate Oxidation Carbohydrate oxidation rate was calculated as: 4.585 × V̇CO₂ (L/min) - 3.226 × V̇O₂ (L/min) (g/min) using mean V̇O₂/V̇CO₂ from final 2min of each stage. All data collected/analyzed with Cortex Metamax 3B system.
Carbohydrate Oxidationthrough study completion, an average of 4 weeksCarbohydrate oxidation rate was calculated as: 4.585 × V̇CO₂ (L/min) - 3.226 × V̇O₂ (L/min) (g/min) using mean V̇O₂/V̇CO₂ from final 2min of each stage. All data collected/analyzed with Cortex Metamax 3B system.
RPEthrough study completion, an average of 4 weeksImmediately after each exercise stage, subjects rated perceived exertion using the Borg RPE scale. The 15-point scale (6-20; 6 = no exertion, 20 = maximal exertion) was administered and recorded post-stage.

Countries

China

Outcome results

None listed

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