Exercise Genes: Genomic Association With Exercise Reinforcement

USDA Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center88 enrolled

Overview

This study tests whether different physical activity patterns are linked an individual's genes.

The investigators propose that an individual's genetics are one factor that may be associated with the motivating aspect or attractiveness of exercise and therefore the choice to exercise rather than be sedentary. They propose to study the association of the genomic signatures with the reinforcing (motivating) value of different types of exercise. This has never been investigated and may uncover underlying mechanisms that would help to understand individual differences in exercise motivation. The ultimate impact of this work is a greater number of Americans being physically active, meeting the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) dietary guidelines for physical activity, and maintaining a healthy body weight. This study will be funded and undertaken at the Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center (GFHNRC). The purpose will be to assess genetic underpinnings of the motivating value of resistance and aerobic exercise, and to determine whether the motivating value of aerobic and resistance exercise are associated with usual participation in these modes of exercise.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Overweight Obesity Physical Activity

Interventions

Aerobic ExerciseOTHER

Subjects will sample and rate their liking of three cardiovascular machines (treadmill, cycle ergometer, elliptical step ergometer) to determine which one will be used during the test.

Resistance ExerciseOTHER

Subjects will sample and rate their liking of three different resistance training circuits (upper body, lower body, core) to determine which one will be used during the test.

Sedentary OptionOTHER

Subjects will rate their liking of three sedentary activities (reading magazines, playing puzzles, completing word games) as an alternative to exercise.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 50 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * BMI within 18.5-35.0 kg/m2 * Healthy enough to exercise * Active or inactive (not exercising at this time) Exclusion Criteria: * Taking any drugs that affect energy expenditure (e.g., thyroid, glucose-lowering drugs) * Have gained or lost more than 5% of body weight over the past 6 months * Use tobacco * Pregnant or lactating or plan to become pregnant in the next 6 months * Have any health conditions that prevent the individual from safely exercising (e.g., cardiovascular, liver, endocrine, or pulmonary diseases)

Locations (1)

USDA Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center

Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Relative reinforcing value (RRV) of physical activity

RRV of physical activity will be assessed by evaluating the number of responses (mouse button presses) a subject is willing to complete to gain access to physical activity or a sedentary alternative.

Time frame: Week 0 (Cross-sectional)

Preference for intense physical activity and tolerance for exercise discomfort

Preference for intense physical activity and tolerance for exercise discomfort will be assessed by self-report questionnaire responses.

Time frame: Week 0 (Cross-sectional)

Genotypes of 23 small nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously identified to influence central dopamine release or uptake, reward, or physical activity

SNP genotyping will be performed on 3-5 ml samples of whole blood collected in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-containing tubes followed by allelic-discrimination analysis for the amplification and identification of each SNP.

Time frame: Week 0 (Cross-sectional)

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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