NCT06511310

Exercise, Brain Activity, and Weight Maintenance

Effects of Exercise Training on Brain Activity and Its Relation to Weight Maintenance and Appetite Regulation

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 15 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Joslin Diabetes Center · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 70 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study aims to explore how HIIT influences brain function, neural and molecular pathways related to weight control, setting the stage for future obesity intervention research.

Detailed description

This study will include adults aged 18-70 years with a BMI \>19 kg/m², both with and without prior bariatric surgery. Those with bariatric surgery must have experienced clinically significant weight regain (\>10% of maximum weight lost) within 1 to 5 years post-surgery. Participants will complete three initial clinical visits before beginning a 12-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program, followed by three post-training clinical visits. During visit 1, participants will undergo anthropometric assessments, baseline blood draw, oral glucose tolerance test, psychometric evaluations, and complete an MRI safety screening. At visit 2, participants will complete a resting metabolic rate assessment and a VO₂peak test. During visit 3, participants will have another baseline blood draw and undergo a functional MRI (fMRI). The HIIT program will consist of four weekly 28-minute sessions conducted at the Joslin Diabetes and at home. Each exercise session will include a 3-minute warm-up, six rounds of 40 seconds high-intensity followed by 3 minutes of moderate intensity, and will conclude with a 3-minute cool-down. After completing the 12-week program, participants will return for clinical visits 4-6, repeating all baseline assessments.

Conditions

• Obesity
• Weight Gain
• Bariatric Surgery Candidate
• Appetitive Behavior

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Exercise	High Intensity Exercise

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-09-15
• Primary completion: 2026-07-01
• Completion: 2027-07-01
• First posted: 2024-07-19
• Last updated: 2025-09-04

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States