NCT05359744

Multi-level Molecular Profiling of Peak Performance in Endurance Sports

A Pilot-study on Multi-level Molecular Profiling of Peak Performance in Endurance Sports

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 80 (actual)
• Sponsor: Paracelsus Medical University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 40 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Physical activity triggers complex molecular responses, including changes in immune-, stress-, and metabolic pathways. For example, autophagy is essential for energy and cellular homeostasis through protein catabolism, and dysregulation results in compromised proteostasis, reduced exercise performance, and excessive secretion of signaling molecules and inflammatory proteins. However, previous research has been limited by the extend of molecules measured and biological processes covered. A better understanding of these processes through multi-omic analysis can improve knowledge of molecular changes in response to exercise. The main purpose of the investigators study is to analyze the effects of acute exercise in correlation to autophagy and other signaling cascades. Specifically, the investigators plan to perform multi-level molecular profiling in a cohort of healthy male elite cyclists and male and female recreational athletes, before, during, and after a bicycle ergometer test. The results will be compared to a control cohort without intervention.

Detailed description

This is a non-randomized controlled trial performed at the Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria. The study will recruit 80 healthy men and women. Subjects who meet the inclusion criteria will be allocated to four arms (n = 20 in all groups): 1. elite cyclists, 2. male recreational athletes, 3. female recreational athletes, 4. male control group. After overnight fasting and medical check-up, groups 1-3 will undergo a bicycle ergometer-based exercise protocol designed to span low (aerobic) to severe (anaerobic) domains of exercise. The protocol consists of a 15 min aerobic warm-up phase followed by a ramp-bicycle ergometer protocol. During exercise, performance-relevant data will be continuously monitored. Venous blood specimens will be collected before exercise (baseline), at the end of the warm-up as well as 2 min, 10 min, and 30 min in recovery.

Conditions

• Exercise
• Exercise Test
• Physical Fitness
• Healthy

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DIAGNOSTIC_TEST	Performance testing	Performance testing on a bicycle ergometer.

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-10-15
• Primary completion: 2022-08-15
• Completion: 2022-08-15
• First posted: 2022-05-04
• Last updated: 2026-02-17

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Austria