Healthy Adult Participants
Conditions
Keywords
Rowing, Exercise physiology, Mitochondrial function, Intestinal permeability, DNA damage response, Psychophysiology, Elite athletes
Brief summary
This observational study aims to evaluate multilevel physiological, molecular, metabolic, intestinal, immunological, and psychophysiological responses to rowing-specific exercise in elite rowers. The study is designed to investigate how maximal and prolonged rowing ergometer exercise influences integrated adaptive mechanisms related to mitochondrial function, metabolic regulation, intestinal permeability, immune activation, DNA damage response, and psychological status. Thirty members of the Polish Youth National Rowing Team, aged 19-24 years, will participate in the study during two different training periods. During the competitive phase, participants will perform a 2000-m maximal rowing ergometer test, whereas during the preparatory phase they will complete a 6000-m rowing ergometer test. Blood samples and physiological measurements will be collected before exercise, immediately after exercise, and after 1 hour of recovery. The study will assess gene expression, circulating biomarkers, flow cytometry parameters, blood morphology, lactate concentration, continuous glucose monitoring data, wearable metabolic sensor measurements, nutritional status, and psychological responses. The primary objective is to identify integrated biomarkers reflecting exercise load, recovery dynamics, and adaptive capacity in highly trained athletes. The study also aims to improve understanding of the interaction between metabolic, mitochondrial, intestinal, immunological, and psychophysiological responses to intensive exercise in rowing.
Detailed description
This study is designed to investigate integrated physiological, molecular, metabolic, intestinal, immunological, and psychophysiological responses to rowing-specific exercise in elite athletes. The study focuses on identifying biomarkers associated with exercise load, early recovery, and adaptive capacity in competitive rowers exposed to maximal and prolonged ergometer exercise. Modern exercise physiology indicates that the response to intensive physical effort involves coordinated interactions between metabolic, mitochondrial, immune, neuroendocrine, and intestinal regulatory systems. High-intensity rowing exercise induces substantial metabolic stress, activation of mitochondrial signaling pathways, inflammatory and stress-related responses, and transient disturbances in intestinal barrier integrity. In addition, psychological factors, including mood state and pre-competition anxiety, may modulate physiological responses to exercise and recovery processes. However, previous studies have typically evaluated isolated physiological or biochemical markers without integrating molecular, cellular, and psychophysiological responses within a rowing-specific exercise model. The study will include 30 competitive rowers, members of the Polish Youth National Rowing Team, aged 19 to 24 years, of both sexes. Assessments will be performed during two distinct phases of the annual training cycle. During the competitive phase (May-June 2026), participants will complete a 2000-m maximal rowing ergometer test. During the preparatory phase (November 2026), participants will perform a 6000-m rowing ergometer test. Both exercise protocols are routinely used within elite rowing training and performance monitoring. Blood samples and physiological measurements will be collected at three time points during each testing session: before exercise (baseline), immediately after exercise, and after 1 hour of recovery. Venous blood samples will be used for hematological, biochemical, molecular, and flow cytometric analyses. Capillary blood samples will be collected for lactate assessment. The study includes several integrated research modules: The metabolic and adaptive response module will evaluate exercise-induced mitochondrial and metabolic signaling through analysis of gene expression related to mitochondrial biogenesis and energy regulation, including PPARGC1A, TFAM, PRKAA1, and SOD2. Circulating biomarkers associated with metabolic stress and adaptive signaling, including GDF15, apelin, irisin, myonectin, HSP70, and BDNF, will also be assessed. Psychological questionnaires evaluating mood state, perceived recovery, and competitive anxiety will be administered to characterize psychophysiological status. The muscle-liver axis module will assess hormonal and metabolic regulation associated with glucose homeostasis and exercise adaptation. Measurements will include insulin, glucagon, FGF21, fetuin-A, IL-6, and myoglobin concentrations, together with expression of genes related to IL-6 signaling, gluconeogenesis, and glucose transport, including STAT3, SOCS3, PCK1, and SLC2A4 (GLUT4). Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and wearable metabolic monitoring systems will be used to evaluate glucose dynamics, lactate responses, hydration status, heart rate, and sodium loss during exercise and recovery. The intestinal permeability and exercise-induced endotoxemia module will investigate exercise-associated disruption of intestinal barrier integrity and activation of innate immune responses. The study will assess circulating markers of endotoxemia and immune activation, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS), lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), soluble CD14, soluble TLR2, and soluble TLR4. Flow cytometry will be used to characterize monocyte phenotypes and receptor expression (CD45, CD14, CD16, TLR2, TLR4), while RT-qPCR analyses will evaluate expression of TLR2 and TLR4 genes. The DNA damage response module will evaluate transient exercise-induced DNA damage and activation of cellular repair mechanisms. Biomarkers of oxidative DNA damage and DNA repair signaling, including 8-OHdG/8-oxo-dG, nucleosomes, HMGB1, AP sites, APE1/APEX1, and poly(ADP-ribose), will be analyzed together with expression of genes involved in DNA damage response and repair pathways, including CDKN1A, GADD45A, APEX1, and PARP1. Body composition analysis will be performed using the TANITA MC-780MA analyzer. Nutritional intake will be evaluated using dietary assessment questionnaires and food records to support interpretation of metabolic and physiological responses. All laboratory analyses will be performed according to standardized laboratory procedures and quality-control protocols. Blood morphology analyses will be conducted immediately after collection, while serum and plasma samples will be processed, centrifuged, and stored at -80°C until analysis. Molecular and flow cytometry analyses will be performed in specialized laboratory facilities using validated methods and equipment. The study is observational in nature and does not involve therapeutic intervention, pharmacological treatment, or experimental supplementation. All exercise procedures represent standard performance tests routinely used in elite rowing training. The project aims to improve understanding of integrated exercise physiology in high-performance athletes and to support development of personalized monitoring strategies for training optimization, recovery management, and early detection of excessive physiological strain.
Interventions
OTHER2000-m rowing ergometer test
A standardized maximal rowing ergometer exercise test performed over a distance of 2000 meters during the competitive phase of the training season to evaluate acute physiological and molecular responses to high-intensity exercise.
OTHER6000-m rowing ergometer test
A standardized prolonged rowing ergometer exercise test performed over a distance of 6000 meters during the preparatory phase of the training season to evaluate physiological and molecular responses to prolonged submaximal exercise.
Sponsors
Poznan University of Physical Education
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
19 Years to 24 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Male and female members of the Polish Youth National Rowing Team. * Age between 19 and 24 years. * Regular participation in structured rowing training. * Medical clearance for participation in maximal exercise testing. * Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
* Lack of consent for blood sampling or study participation. * Current injury or health condition contraindicating maximal exercise. * Acute infection, fever, or inflammatory condition at the time of testing. * Use of anti-inflammatory medications. * Use of performance-enhancing substances. * Use of dietary supplements within 3 months before study participation. * Any medical contraindications identified by the study physician.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Changes from baseline in PPARGC1A (PGC-1α) gene expression | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of mitochondrial biogenesis and metabolic adaptation to exercise. |
| Changes from baseline in TFAM gene expression. | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of mitochondrial DNA maintenance and transcription. |
| Changes from baseline in PRKAA1 (AMPKα1) gene expression. | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of cellular energy sensing and metabolic stress response |
| Changes from baseline in SOD2 gene expression. | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of mitochondrial antioxidant defense. |
| Change from baseline in serum growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) concentration | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of mitochondrial and metabolic stress |
| Change from baseline in serum apelin concentration | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery. | Exercise-related myokine associated with metabolic regulation. |
| Change from baseline in serum heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) concentration | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of cellular stress response |
| Change from baseline in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentration | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of neuroplasticity and exercise-related neuroregulation. |
| Change from baseline in serum myonectin (CTRP15) concentration | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis. |
| Change from baseline in serum insulin concentration | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of glucose regulation and metabolic adaptation. |
| Change from baseline in serum glucagon concentration | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of hepatic glucose production and gluconeogenesis. |
| Change from baseline in serum fetuin-A concentration | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of insulin sensitivity and hepatic metabolic response. |
| Change from baseline in serum fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) concentration | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of metabolic adaptation and energy homeostasis |
| Change from baseline in serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery. | Exercise-induced myokine involved in muscle-liver signaling. |
| Change from baseline in serum myoglobin concentration | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of muscle stress and exercise-induced muscle response. |
| Changes from baseline in STAT3 gene expression. | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of IL-6 signaling pathway activation |
| Changes from baseline in SOCS3 gene expression. | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of negative feedback regulation of inflammatory signaling. |
| Changes from baseline in PCK1 gene expression. | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of gluconeogenesis regulation. |
| Changes from baseline in SLC2A4 (GLUT4) gene expression. | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of skeletal muscle glucose transport |
| Change from baseline in plasma lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concentration | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of exercise-induced endotoxemia. |
| Change from baseline in serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) concentration | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of endotoxin transport and immune activation. |
| Change from baseline in serum soluble CD14 (sCD14) concentration | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of monocyte activation and endotoxin recognition |
| Change from baseline in serum soluble toll-like receptor 4 (sTLR4) concentration | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of innate immune receptor activation. |
| Change from baseline in serum soluble toll-like receptor 2 (sTLR2) concentration | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of innate immune response to bacterial components. |
| Changes from baseline in TLR4 gene expression. | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of endotoxin-induced inflammatory signaling |
| Changes from baseline in TLR2 gene expression. | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of innate immune activation. |
| Changes from baseline in TLR4-positive monocyte expression. | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of monocyte receptor sensitivity to endotoxins. |
| Changes from baseline in TLR2-positive monocyte expression | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of innate immune receptor activation on monocytes. |
| Change from baseline in serum 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) concentration | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of oxidative DNA damage. |
| Change from baseline in serum nucleosome concentration | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of chromatin fragmentation and cellular stress. |
| Change from baseline in serum high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) concentration | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of cellular stress and inflammatory signaling. |
| Change from baseline in number of apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of DNA strand damage and base excision repair activity. |
| Change from baseline in APE1/APEX1 protein concentration | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of DNA repair pathway activation. |
| Change from baseline in poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) concentration | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of PARP activation and DNA repair response |
| Changes from baseline in CDKN1A (p21) gene expression. | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of cell cycle arrest and DNA damage response. |
| Changes from baseline in GADD45A gene expression. | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of genomic stress response. |
| Changes from baseline in APEX1 gene expression. | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of DNA base excision repair regulation |
| Changes from baseline in PARP1 gene expression. | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of DNA damage sensing and repair signaling. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Changes from baseline in blood lactate concentration. | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery. | Marker of exercise intensity and metabolic stress. |
| Changes from baseline in hemoglobin concentration | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery. | Assessment of exercise-induced changes in hemoglobin concentration. |
| Changes from baseline in hematocrit value | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery. | Assessment of exercise-induced changes in hematocrit value. |
| Changes from baseline in red blood cell count | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery. | Assessment of exercise-induced changes in red blood cell count. |
| Changes from baseline in mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery. | Assessment of exercise-induced changes in the average hemoglobin concentration within erythrocytes. |
| Changes from baseline in mean corpuscular volume (MCV) | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery. | Assessment of exercise-induced changes in the average volume of circulating erythrocytes. |
| Changes from baseline in mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery. | Assessment of exercise-induced changes in the average hemoglobin content per erythrocyte. |
| Change from baseline in white blood cell count | At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery. | Assessment of exercise-induced immune and inflammatory responses based on leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and monocyte counts. |
| Profile of Mood States (POMS) score. | Before exercise. | Assessment using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire. Total scores range from 0 to 260, with higher scores indicating greater mood disturbance and psychological distress. |
| Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT) score. | Before exercise. | Assessment using the Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT). Total scores range from 10 to 30, with higher scores indicating greater trait competitive anxiety. |
| Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2) score. | Before exercise. | Assessment using the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2). Total scores range from 27 to 108, with higher scores indicating greater pre-competition anxiety symptoms and self-confidence levels. The questionnaire assesses cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and self-confidence. |
| Hooper Index score. | Before exercise. | Assessment using the Hooper Index questionnaire, calculated as the sum of ratings for fatigue, stress, delayed-onset muscle soreness, and sleep quality. Total scores range from 4 to 28, with higher scores indicating poorer recovery status and greater overall training strain. |
| Change from baseline in mean interstitial glucose concentration | From pre-exercise baseline assessment through exercise and 1-hour post-exercise recovery. | Mean interstitial glucose concentration (mg/dL) recorded using a continuous glucose monitoring system during the exercise session and throughout the 1-hour post-exercise recovery period. CGM-derived glucose values will be averaged across each assessment period and compared with pre-exercise baseline values. |
| Change from baseline in mean heart rate | From pre-exercise baseline through exercise and 1-hour post-exercise recovery. | Mean heart rate (beats per minute, bpm) continuously recorded using the ONAS10 wearable sensor during exercise and throughout the 1-hour post-exercise recovery period. |
| Change from baseline in estimated lactate concentration | From pre-exercise baseline through exercise and 1-hour post-exercise recovery. | Estimated lactate concentration (mmol/L) continuously derived from sweat biomarker analysis using the ONAS10 wearable microfluidic biosensor during exercise and throughout the 1-hour post-exercise recovery period. |
| Change from baseline in dehydration rate | From pre-exercise baseline through exercise and 1-hour post-exercise recovery. | Dehydration rate (%) estimated from sweat biomarker analysis using the ONAS10 wearable microfluidic biosensor during exercise and the 1-hour post-exercise recovery period. |
| Change from baseline in sweat sodium concentration | From pre-exercise baseline through exercise and 1-hour post-exercise recovery. | Sweat sodium concentration (mg/L or mmol/L) continuously measured using the ONAS10 wearable microfluidic biosensor during exercise and throughout the 1-hour post-exercise recovery period. |
| Change from baseline in estimated sodium loss | From pre-exercise baseline through exercise and 1-hour post-exercise recovery. | Estimated sodium loss (mg) derived from sweat analysis using the ONAS10 wearable microfluidic biosensor during exercise and the 1-hour post-exercise recovery period. |
| Change from baseline in sweat rate | From pre-exercise baseline through exercise and 1-hour post-exercise recovery. | Sweat rate (mL/h) continuously estimated using the ONAS10 wearable microfluidic biosensor during exercise and throughout the 1-hour post-exercise recovery period. |
Contacts
CONTACTJoanna Ostapiuk-Karolczuk, PhD
CONTACTAnna Kasperska, PhD
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORAnna Skarpańska-Stejborn, Professor
Poznan University of Physical Education, Gorzów Wielkopolski; Faculty of Sport Sciences in Gorzów Wielkopolski; Department of Biological Sciences,
Outcome results
None listed