Actively Recruiting
Metabolic Adaptations to Weight Loss With and Without Exercise
Led by University of Michigan · Updated on 2026-04-14
68
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
254 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Study Purpose: The combination of caloric restriction and exercise is the most common first-line treatment for obesity-related disorders, yet we know very little about how these two very different treatments work together. A deeper understanding about mechanisms underlying the health benefits of adding exercise to a weight loss program will not only aid efforts to optimize more effective lifestyle interventions, but it can also uncover novel targets for the treatment/prevention of obesity-related diseases. Although a reduction in body fat is the fundamental adaptation to weight loss, we know almost nothing about the effects that adding exercise has on structural and functional changes within fat tissue that may further enhance metabolic health. This is very important because many obesity-related metabolic health complications are tightly linked with abnormalities in abdominal fat tissue. We argue exercise-induced modifications in abdominal fat tissue will reveal persistent health benefits even if some weight is regained Study Summary: 10% Weight Loss Phase - Subject participation in the study will involve a series of metabolic tests before, at midpoint, and after undergoing a 10% weight loss program (with or without exercise training depending on group randomization). During this, subjects will be randomized into one of two different experimental groups: 1. Moderate Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) exercise group 2. No exercise (control) group Follow-up Phase: After completing the metabolic testing post-weight loss, all study-related diet and exercise supervision will end and subjects will be free to make their own choices regarding diet and exercise/physical activity behavior. Subjects will then be asked to complete follow-up testing at 2-, 4- and 6- months post-weight loss. Total involvement in the study for each subject will likely be about 10-13 months (4-7 months during weight loss phase, 6 months during follow-up phase).
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Metabolic Adaptations to Weight Loss With and Without Exercise
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age between 18 and 40 years
- Body mass index between 30 and 40 kg/m2
- Weight stable within ±3 kg for at least 2 months
- No regular planned exercise or physical activity
- Women must have regular menstrual cycles and be premenopausal
You will not qualify if you...
- EKG abnormalities
- History or evidence of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or other metabolic diseases
- Use of medications affecting lipid or glucose metabolism
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Use of tobacco or e-cigarettes
- History of hypersensitivity to insulin, human albumin, or potassium chloride injection
- Allergies to amide-type local anesthetics (e.g., lidocaine)
- History or risk of hyperkalemia, including use of drugs causing hyperkalemia
- Use of anticoagulant medications (e.g., Coumadin, Rivaroxaban) or allergy to lidocaine contraindicating biopsy procedure
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 48109
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
S
Suzette M Howton
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
2
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