Actively Recruiting
The Link Between Strength and Endurance Training and Brain Health in Healthy Adults: A Comparative Study of Former Professional Athletes and Sedentary Individuals
Led by Technical University of Madrid · Updated on 2025-06-17
60
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
34 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This observational study investigates how physical activity relates to brain health by comparing former professional athletes who continue regular exercise with sedentary individuals. It aims to understand whether former athletes have better brain structure and to evaluate differences in neurodegenerative processes between those with competitive training backgrounds and those inactive. The study takes a comprehensive multiscale approach including neuropsychology, neuroimaging, peripheral biomarkers, and genetics. Participants belong to one of two groups: ex-athletes who exercise at moderate to vigorous intensity at least three days per week, and sedentary individuals who engage in less than 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly or score low on a physical activity questionnaire. This lifestyle pattern must have been consistent for at least six months before evaluation. The study collects baseline measures such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels, tau protein concentration, hippocampal volume via MRI, and cognitive test scores, among others. During participation, individuals undergo assessments including brain imaging (high-resolution MRI and functional MRI), blood tests for biomarkers, physical fitness tests, and cognitive evaluations. Researchers also measure physical activity using accelerometers and questionnaires, along with body composition and metabolic markers. Safety and eligibility checks ensure participants have no serious neurological or psychiatric disorders or conditions that could affect cognition. The trial runs until September 2026 and is led by the Technical University of Madrid.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
The Link Between Physical Activity and Brain Health in Healthy Adults
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Group A: ex-athletes who regularly perform moderate to vigorous physical exercise at least 3 days per week
- Group B: sedentary individuals performing less than 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week or scoring below 600 MET min/week on the IPAQ
- Participants must have maintained their exercise or sedentary lifestyle for at least 6 months before evaluation
- No history of neurological or psychiatric disorders or serious medical conditions
You will not qualify if you...
- Medical conditions with a high risk of cognitive symptoms
- Severe head injury with loss of consciousness within the last 5 years
- Alcohol use exceeding 3 drinks per day
- Chronic use of anxiolytics, neuroleptics, narcotics, anticonvulsants, or sedative hypnotics
- Hearing or visual impairments that prevent testing
- History of neurological diseases affecting cognition (e.g., cerebrovascular disease)
- Brain abnormalities impacting cognition or survival (e.g., malignant brain tumors)
- Severe systemic diseases such as cancer under treatment
- Use of anabolic substances
- Difficulty understanding spoken or written Spanish
- Presence of pacemakers or metallic implants interfering with MRI scans
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 1 day
Participants undergo assessments including blood tests, cognitive tests, physical fitness measurements, and brain imaging to evaluate brain health and physical activity levels.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 7 days
Participants' physical activity and sedentary behavior are monitored using accelerometers over 7 days to gather baseline lifestyle data.
Continuous monitoring over 7 days
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Faculty of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences (INEF)
Madrid, Madrid, Spain, 28040
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
S
Songxin Tang
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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