What is this study trying to find out about muscle and nerve function in older adults?

This study is examining how the nervous system controls muscle activity in adults aged 60 to 85 who are either regular exercisers or not. Researchers aim to compare muscle and nerve function between these two groups to better understand neuromuscular health. The Mayo Clinic is leading this observational research.

Who may be eligible for this muscle and nerve function clinical trial?

Adults aged 60 to 85 who are generally healthy and have a body mass index between 18.5 and 38 may be eligible. Both men and women can participate, but women cannot be pregnant. Participants must be able to understand English and use the Mayo Clinic patient portal. Please review eligibility criteria for more details.

Is there any cost to participate in this muscle and nerve function clinical trial?

Study-related care, including procedures and all trial visits, is provided at no cost. However, personal travel expenses may vary and are not guaranteed to be covered.

Actively Recruiting

Age: 60Years - 85Years

All Genders

Healthy Volunteers

ID06820658

Study Comparing Muscle and Nerve Function in Adults Aged 60 to 85 Who Are Regular Exercisers or Untrained

Led by Mayo Clinic · Updated on 2026-08-05

Participants Needed

Research Sites

4 weeks

Total Duration

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating the nervous systems control of skeletal muscle activity in adults aged 60 to 85 who are either long-term resistance exercisers or untrained. This cross-sectional observational study compares 20 to 40 highly resistance-trained adults with 20 to 40 untrained adults matched for age, sex, and BMI to understand differences in neuromuscular recruitment. Participants will complete five visits. The first visit includes screening with blood tests, body composition measurement by DEXA, meal tolerance testing, a VO2max cycling test, and muscle strength tests using knee extension and handgrip devices. Visits two and three involve additional meal tolerance tests and brain MRI scans. The fourth and fifth visits use transcranial magnetic stimulation TMS combined with electromyography EMG to assess muscle excitability and confirm measurement reproducibility. Throughout the study, participants undergo various tests and assessments, including blood draws, imaging, strength tests, and neurophysiological measurements. Researchers will measure EMG responses after TMS to evaluate neuromuscular function. The total participation time spans multiple visits to gather comprehensive data on muscle and nerve function in older adults, with safety and health status monitored throughout.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

A Comparison of Neuromuscular Recruitment in Trained and Untrained Adults

Who Can Participate

Age: 60Years - 85Years

All Genders

Healthy Volunteers

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...

Surgical History such as gastric surgery, pacemaker placement, weight loss surgery, metabolic and obstetric surgery
Smokers
Use of medications including insulins, common diabetic drugs, anti-hyperglycemic drugs, cardiac selective beta blockers, noncardiac selective beta blockers, oral steroids, opioids, anti-depressants, and hormones
Conditions including 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, central nervous system disorder
Abnormal lipid panel value within the past 6 months
Recreational drug use or history of alcohol abuse
Inability or unwillingness to provide written informed consent
Current or recent participation in another clinical trial as determined by intervention administration
Epilepsy
Cranial metal or device implants
Pregnancy

Research Team

Emmett Oldham

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