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Sex Differences in Cold-Induced Changes in Maximal Fat Oxidation

Sex Differences in Cold-Induced Changes in Maximal Fat Oxidation: A Pilot Study

Status
Not yet recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07297823
Enrollment
20
Registered
2025-12-22
Start date
2026-01-31
Completion date
2027-06-30
Last updated
2025-12-26

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

Conditions

Exercise

Keywords

exercise, fat, temperature, cold, metabolism

Brief summary

The purpose of this research study is to determine if the cold-induced change in fat burning during exercise is different between females and males.

Detailed description

It is well characterized that females rely more on fat oxidation compared to men during standardized exercise. Exposure to cold during exercise increases fat oxidation in humans. It has been shown that the biological sex differences in substrate oxidation observed during exercise persist in the cold. However, it is unclear if the degree of the effect of cold on substrate oxidation during exercise is different between females and males. The purpose of this study is to determine if the change in maximal fat oxidation that occurs in cold compared to room temperature environments is different between females and males. The hypotheses are 1) females will have greater maximal fat oxidation than males in both conditions, and 2) the change in maximal fat oxidation between the control and cold conditions will be the same in females and males.

Interventions

Room temperature will be decreased to 5 ºC

Exercise condition for control arm

Sponsors

Colorado State University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Age 18-40 years (inclusive) * Weight stable (no change in body mass greater than 5 lbs. within the previous 6 months. * Willing to abstain from caffeine and alcohol for 24-hours prior to two different study visits * Competency in English as informally assessed by comprehension of the Informed Consent. This study involves maximal exercise testing; for safety reasons, the ability for clear and rapid communication will be necessary between the research participants and the investigators. * Regular exercise (i.e., at least 150 minutes of moderate-vigorous exercise per week)

Exclusion criteria

* Use of hormonal contraceptives * History of autonomic, cardio-pulmonary, and/or metabolic disease (including heart failure, hypertension, arrhythmia, vascular disease, and/or diabetes) * Pregnancy or breast feeding * Habitual use of tobacco/nicotine products or recreational drugs (2 or more uses within the previous month)

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Maximal Fat OxidationDuring exercise while in the labUsing indirect calorimetry, fat oxidation will be determined. The maximal value for fat oxidation will be recorded.

Contacts

Primary ContactChristopher Bell
Christopher.Bell@colostate.edu9704917522
Backup ContactChristina Cheng
c.cheng@colostate.edu9704913495

Outcome results

None listed

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