Actively Recruiting
A Comparison of Neuromuscular Recruitment in Trained and Untrained Adults Aged 60 to 85 Using Neurological Techniques
Led by Mayo Clinic · Updated on 2025-07-30
80
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
4 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
M
Mayo Clinic
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying how the nervous system controls muscle activity in adults aged 60 to 85 who are either highly resistance-trained or untrained. This observational study aims to compare neuromuscular recruitment between these two groups by using advanced neurological techniques to obtain precise measurements. The study includes participants who are generally healthy with a body mass index between 18.5 and 38. Participants will attend five study visits. The first visit includes screening with blood tests, body composition measurement using DEXA, meal tolerance testing, a VO2max cycling test, and muscle strength assessments. The second and third visits involve repeated meal tolerance tests and brain MRI scans. During the fourth and fifth visits, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) combined with electromyography (EMG) will assess muscle excitability and neuromuscular connectivity. Throughout the study, participants will undergo multiple evaluations such as strength testing, blood sampling, imaging, and neurological measurements. The primary outcome is the EMG response after TMS, measured at 21 days. Participants will be monitored for reproducibility of measurements and overall health status. The total involvement spans several visits with detailed assessments to understand neuromuscular function in trained and untrained older adults.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
A Comparison of Neuromuscular Recruitment in Trained and Untrained Adults
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Participant must have a BMI between 18.5 and 38
- Participant be aged between 60 and 85
- Regularly exercises at least 5 days a week a minimum of 30 minutes per day
- Engages in less than 2 days of exercise less than 30 minutes each day
- Participant must use the Mayo Clinic patient online portal
- Participant must be able to understand English without the need of an interpreter
- Must be willing to be contacted for research
- Participant must be willing and capable to provide consent
- Participants shall be generally healthy as deemed acceptable by the principal investigator
- Men and women will be participant in this study. Women cannot be pregnant during this study.
You will not qualify if you...
- History of gastric surgery, pacemaker placement, weight loss surgery, metabolic or obstetric surgery
- Current smoker
- Taking insulins, diabetic drugs, anti-hyperglycemic drugs, beta blockers (cardiac and noncardiac), oral steroids, opioids, anti-depressants, or hormones
- Diagnosis of coronary artery disorder, hepatic failure, gastroparesis, adrenal gland disorder, drug-related disorders, substance abuse, malignant neoplastic disease, psychotic disorders, skeletal muscle disorder, brain findings, chronic kidney disease, renal failure syndrome, pulmonary circulation disorder, cerebrovascular disease, neurodevelopmental disorder, immune function disorder, or central nervous system disorder
- Abnormal lipid panel values within the past 6 months
- Recreational drug use or history of alcohol abuse
- Inability or unwillingness to give written informed consent
- Current or past participation in another clinical trial within specified timeframe
- Epilepsy
- Cranial metal or device implants
- Pregnancy
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Up to 3 weeks
Participants complete various diagnostic tests including body composition measurement by DEXA, meal tolerance testing, VO2max testing on a cycle ergometer, muscle strength tests, and MRI of the brain.
4 visits (in-person)
Duration - 1 week
Participants undergo transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) with electromyography (EMG) to assess skeletal muscle excitability, with measurements repeated to assess reproducibility.
2 visits (in-person)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, Minnesota, United States, 55905
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
D
Devanshi Gupta
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
2
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