Clinical Research Directory

BCT Intervention For Walking Habit Among Caregivers of People With AD/ADRD

This 12-week trial will test the efficacy of a multi-component, personalized text-message delivered behavior change technique (BCT) intervention to encourage habitual physical activity (defined as regular walking of 1,000 or more steps during a one-hour period on 7 consecutive days according to a personalized walking plan) among care providers of persons with AD/ADRD via the key mechanism of behavior change (MoBC) of automaticity. The main question it aims to answer whether a multi-component, personalized BCT intervention to increase a walking habit of 1,000 steps/day will lead to successful development of habitual walking among 60 percent of caregivers enrolled.

The Effects of One Day of Activity on the Next Day's Exercise Response

Exercise can reduce the risk of several chronic diseases. However, recent studies have suggested sitting for too long before exercising can decrease exercise benefits. This study will help determine why this may occur.

Effect of Low Volume Sprint Interval Training on Cardiorespiratory Fitness

Low levels of physical activity (PA) are related to poor health and greater risk of premature death in adults. Lack of time is cited as a primary barrier to partaking in PA. In the last 20 years, a lot of attention has been directed towards the efficacy of high intensity interval training (HIIT), which consists of brief, intense bursts of PA separated by recovery. One primary benefit of HIIT is a sizable increase in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), which enables adults to exercise better and reduce health risks due to the strong link between health status and CRF. Completion of cardiovascular exercise is typically recommended for all adults to increase CRF, yet it takes a lot of time and may be perceived as boring. Alternatively, HIIT requires less time and tends to cause greater feelings of enjoyment in many adults. Hundreds of studies report an increase in CRF in response to HIIT in various groups of adults ranging from athletes and those with obesity, diabetes, cancer, stroke, and even spinal cord injury, which emphasizes the potency of this vigorous form of PA. Yet, many studies are weakened by a small sample size which questions the feasibility of these findings. This randomized controlled trial will test the efficacy and feasibility of a very small amount of HIIT, referred to as reduced exertion high intensity interval training (REHIT), in inactive adults. In the proposed study, REHIT will consist of 2 days per week of 1 to two 10 - 20 second sprints on a stationary bike. The proposed sample will include 60 adults who complete 18 sessions of REHIT over a 9 week period, and their responses will be compared to a non exercising control group. During the study, changes in CRF, fuel metabolism, and psychological responses will be monitored, with the latter outcome shedding light on the overall feasibility of HIIT in inactive adults. Overall, this novel study has profound public health applications as it will assess fitness and health related changes to a small dose of PA in the largest sample to date. If substantial changes in CRF are shown, these data have the potential to modify public health guidelines for implementing PA in inactive adults.

Exploring the Effects of Smartphone and Game Addiction on Activity, Sleep, Stress, and Pain in Youth

This study aims to examine the relationship between smartphone and digital game addiction and various health indicators, including physical activity level, sleep quality, stress, fatigue, and musculoskeletal pain among young people. University students often spend prolonged time on digital devices, which may affect their mental and physical well-being. By collecting self-reported data through validated questionnaires, the study will explore how these addictive behaviors are associated with lifestyle and health outcomes. The findings may help guide future interventions to promote healthier technology use among youth.

Improving Physical Activity Participation in Latinas With Mindfulness

In this study, the investigators are exploring how a mindfulness-based physical activity program can help improve exercise habits and overall health among 258 inactive Latina women aged 18 to 65. The study will be conducted entirely remotely over and 18 month period. During the first 6 months, all participants will receive an exercise program that has previously been tested by our research team. After 6 months, the investigators will check if participants are meeting the recommended exercise guidelines of at least 150 minutes/week of at least moderate intensity activity. Participants who meet the guidelines will continue with the successful exercise program for another 6 months. For participants who do not meet the guidelines (are exercising less than 150 minutes/week), they will receive one of two enhanced programs, which will be randomly assigned. One program offers additional physical activity support, and the other incorporates stress management through mindfulness techniques. For all participants, over 18 months, the investigators will track physical activity levels, stress, and heart health indicators.

Oral 'Breath Test' to Measure Anabolic Sensitivity to a Protein Meal Across the Age and Physical Activity Spectrum

The purpose of this study is to determine how anabolic sensitivity, in response to the ingestion of a liquid protein meal, differs across the lifespan, between biological sexes, and with varying physical activity levels.

Effects of a Lifestyle and Sleep Intervention in Non-exercising Adults

Background. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of premature mortality and disability accounting for one third of all deaths worldwide with considerable impacts on economics and on quality of life. Recent studies suggest that a lifestyle intervention might have a role in the reduction of CDV risk. Lifestyle intervention programs typically combine physical activity, diet and behavior modification components. Poor sleep health is highly prevalent in the general population and contributes to increased risk of several noncommunicable diseases. However, sleep is rarely addressed in lifestyle intervention programs in primary prevention. Given the high prevalence of poor sleep health in people without a diagnosed sleep disorder, and the associated health consequences, there is a clear need for broad-reaching, effective interventions to improve sleep quality in subclinical populations. Aims. The main objective of this study is to compare a lifestyle intervention program including a sleep intervention compared to a lifestyle intervention program alone on the health-related quality of life (measured by the EQ-5D-5L) and physical activity levels of non-exercising adults. Methods. Non-exercising adults (n=201) will be recruited in the community via advertisement or their primary care doctor and then randomized to one of the following 3 groups : lifestyle intervention, lifestyle and sleep intervention or standard care. The lifestyle intervention includes a physical activity component (physical activity initiation visit and 6 months of supervised physical activity, once weekly), a diet component (consultation with a dietician and 3 group sessions). The sleep intervention includes individualized face-to-face sessions aimed at improving and optimizing sleep hygiene. At baseline and after 6 and 12 months, quality of life, physical activity levels, cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors will be evaluated. Perspectives. This study should determine whether adding a sleep intervention dimension to a lifestyle intervention program provides significant benefits in terms of quality of life and physical activity levels. Based on this study, the modalities of real-life lifestyle intervention programs could be reconsidered in order to provide optimal primary prevention.