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AMPLIFI: Adaptive Modulation of Plasticity Through Lactate and Fitness Interventions
Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham
Summary
The AMPLIFI study (Adaptive Modulation of Plasticity through Lactate and Fitness Interventions) investigates how short-term aerobic exercise influences brain plasticity and learning in older adults and stroke survivors. The study compares three groups: one performing aerobic cycling at an intensity that elevates lactate levels, one performing low-intensity exercise, and one receiving health education without exercise. All participants will complete motor learning tasks and undergo brain-stimulation testing using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to assess how well the brain responds to training. The goal is to understand whether different types of exercise can improve brain function, movement, and memory, and how the body's response to exercise (like lactate levels) might support brain health. This research may help identify low-cost, non-invasive interventions-such as targeted exercise-that improve motor and cognitive outcomes in aging and stroke recovery.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 85 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
48
Start Date
2026-04-14
Completion Date
2030-01-01
Last Updated
2026-02-12
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Interventions
High intensity cycling
Participants cycle on a stationary ergometer at an intensity prescribed to reach their lactate threshold, guided by VO2 max results and lactate sampling. The session lasts approximately 20 minutes and is preceded and followed by TMS assessments and a structured motor learning task. This condition is designed to evaluate the effect of exercise-induced metabolic stress on cortical inhibition and motor learning.
Low-intensity cycling
Participants perform 20 minutes of cycling at a light workload below their lactate threshold. Exercise intensity is individualized using heart rate and perceived exertion (Borg RPE scale), avoiding significant metabolic activation. TMS and motor learning are assessed pre- and post-exercise. This condition serves as an active comparator to assess the impact of exercise intensity.
Health education session
Participants receive a 20-minute session of health education content (e.g., wellness, healthy aging). No exercise is performed. Participants undergo TMS and motor learning testing before and after the session. This condition is used to control for attention and cognitive engagement without physical activity.
Moderate Intensity Aerobic Exercise
Participants cycle on a stationary ergometer at an intensity prescribed to surround, but not exceed their lactate threshold, guided by VO2 max results and lactate sampling. The session lasts approximately 20 minutes and is preceded and followed by TMS assessments and a structured motor learning task. This condition is designed to evaluate the effect of moderate exercise-induced metabolic stress on cortical inhibition and motor learning.
Locations (1)
CH19 933 19th St S
Birmingham, Alabama, United States