Search Results
The Effect of Exercise on Craving and Cannabis Use in Individuals with Cannabis Use Disorder
Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug and rates of hazardous use, and cannabis use disorders (CUDs), have continued to rise in recent years. Increased exposure produces higher risk for detrimental psychological and behavioral effects of cannabis use. Given this increased prevalence of problematic cannabis use, identifying effective behavioral strategies for individuals experiencing problems with addiction would offer significant benefits. Exercise, particularly resistance exercise, is a behavioral intervention with considerable potential as an adjunctive treatment for CUD. No prior study has investigated the effects of an acute bout of resistance exercise on cannabis craving and consumption, nor has prior research identified what psychobiological mechanisms may underlie these exercise potentiated effects. The aims of this proposal seek to address these issues by implementing an acute resistance exercise protocol in men and women who have severe cannabis use disorder. This proposal will examine the acute effects of resistance exercise on craving, mood, anxiety, and markers of reward and stress regulation. In addition, this proposal will examine the trajectory of these effects in the subsequent days.
There will be 8 in person visits, one pre and one post visit and 6 exercise visits. 4 weeks of saliva collection and questionnaires done by mobile phone.
Up to $100.00
Between 18-30 years old
Recreationally trained
Able to read write English and complete study evaluations
Provide negative toxicology screenings for nicotine or alcohol at intake
Known endocrine disorder
Blood clotting disorders
Any psychiatric disorder or current psychiatric symptoms
Inability to give informed consent
Identification of Critical Thermal Environments for Aged Adults
The earth’s climate is warming, and the number of heat waves has increased in recent years. At the same time, the number of adults over the age of 65 is growing. Humans sweat and increase blood flow to the skin to cool their body when they get hot. Older adults do not do this as well as young adults. This makes it harder to safely exercise in warm and/or humid conditions. It is important to learn about safe limits of heat and humidity for older adults to exercise. Also, nearly 40% of adults over age 50 take aspirin to lower their risk for heart disease. Our lab has shown that aspirin lowers the control of body heat. In this study, we will determine critical temperature and humidity environments above which normal body temperature cannot be maintained in young and older adults. We will also look at how aspirin may change critical temperature and humidity thresholds in older adults.
There will be 4 in person visits and sit, walk, or cycle at a low intensity in an environmental chamber.
360
Asymptomatic and no signs/symptoms of disease
History of Crohn's disease, diverticulitis, or other similar gastrointestinal disease
Medications that could alter cardiovascular responses or body temperature regulation during exercise (blood pressure reducers, fever reducers, anti-depressants, etc.)
Tobacco or recreational drug use
Post-menopausal women taking hormone replacement therapy
Effects of heating on exercise pressor reflex in peripheral artery disease: Sympathetic Response
The purpose of this study is to examine if nervous system and blood pressure responses to exercise will be less with heat exposure in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and healthy controls.
free of acute medical conditions
any race or ethnicity
women or men
females who are pregnant or lactating
age < 21 years old
AWS-PSU: Active Women's Study at Penn State University
AWS-PSU: Active Women's Study at Penn State University This research study is being conducted to evaluate the impact of exercise and reproductive function on bone strength. Eligible young women (age 18-30) are those that are generally healthy and either a) exercising and experiencing regular or irregular menstrual cycles, or b) not exercising and experiencing regular menstrual cycles.
Age 18-30
BMI between 16-29.9
No hormonal contraception for 6 months
Currently using medication impacting bone
AYA-UNITE (Utilizing Novel Information Technology to Promote Exercise and Well-Being) in Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer
Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer have many needs for supportive care that differ from younger and older patients. This includes age-appropriate psychological support for management of distress, as well as supports for the social isolation many AYAs experience. One exciting intervention that may provide AYAs with cancer improved psychosocial support, as well as increased physical strength, is physical activity. This feasibility project aims to evaluate the safety, feasibility and acceptability of a physical activity training in AYAs with cancer delivered via a socially interactive videoconferencing platform.
Participant diagnosis of cancer who is currently undergoing active treatment for cancer, or who is within 3 years of end of cancer treatment at the time of enrollment
Participant must have access to a computer or smartphone
Absolute contraindication to exercise
Pregnant women
Patients with relapsed cancer
atients who have undergone allogeneic stem cell transplant
Using Exercise to Relieve Arthralgia (Joint Pain) and Improve AI Adherence in Older Survivors (REJOIN): A Pilot Study
Briefly, the purpose of this study is to use a self-management approach (combining education and exercise) to help older breast cancer survivors manage joint pain, a common side effect of aromatase inhibitors (AIs), a medication used to reduce hormones that might increase risk of recurrence and mortality following primary cancer treatment. We believe that reducing joint pain might help survivors take their medication longer and thus improve survival outcomes, compared to standard care.
Attend 4 in person visits, blood will be drawn at each visit. Complete physical function tests and surveys. Wear accelerometer for 7 days following each visit. Randomly selected participants will attend group exercise sessions twice a week for eight weeks via video call and record exercise activities between visits.
$160
Female
Breast Cancer Survivor
Preparing to Start AI medication
ER+ diagnosis
Gross Cognitive Impairment
Recent Joint Surgery
Cardiac event/Stroke within last 6 months
Not willing to come to HMC for Exercise Sessions
Penn State Exercising Women's Study
This study aims to assess energy status in young sedentary and exercising women as it is related to menstrual status, bone health, psychological health, sleep variables, and cardiovascular function.
There will be three to four visits to the laboratory. Procedures include questionnaires, a blood draw, providing a hair sample, cardiovascular measurements, and bone scans, as well as resting metabolic rate, cognitive, aerobic fitness, and countermovement jump testing. Participants will be asked to collect urine samples throughout one menstrual cycle, or 28 days for amenorrheic females. Exercise and physical activity will be recorded and monitored for seven days via logs and wearables. Food intake will be recorded for three days. Collegiate athletes will be tested twice; in-season and off-season.
Age 18-30 years
Body Mass Index between 16-29.9 kg/m2
For sedentary participants: less than 2 hours of purposeful exercise per week and regular menstrual cycles for the last 6 months (i.e. cycles between 26 and 35 days in length)
For exercising participants: exercise at least 2 hours per week AND/OR participate in collegiate athletics. Exercising participants can have regular or irregular menstrual cycles for the last 6 months.
Currently a smoker or history of regular smoking
Taking any hormonal therapy in the past six months
Serious or chronic health condition (including heart condition, thyroid illness, metabolic disease)
Hysterectomy or oophorectomy
A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study on the analgesic properties of amiloride in exercise-induced skeletal muscle pain
To determine if the drug Amiloride will reduce exercise related muscle pain and improve exercise tolerance in healthy volunteers.
In each visit, you will be asked to perform foot exercise with, and without a blood pressure cuff inflated on your leg. You will also be asked to take pills prior to visit 2 and 3. One of these pills will be a drug called amiloride (10mg), which was traditionally used to lower blood pressure. The other pill will be a placebo (no active medication). During each visit, we will collect the following measurements: • We will collect a nerve recording from the leg not performing exercise, which will require a small needle-like electrode to be inserted behind your knee, just under the skin (a procedure called microneurography). • We will collect blood pressure from cuffs placed on your finger and upper arm. • We will collect blood lactate by sticking your finger with a small pin-prick (similar to taking a blood sugar measurement). • We will place to light-sensing device over the skin of your leg(s) to measure the oxygen level in your muscle. • We will hold a doppler ultrasound probe over your hip/leg region to measure blood flow. • We will use sticky-gel electrodes to measure heart rate and muscle activity.
You will receive $25 per hour for your participation in this research study
between 21-40 years old
any race or ethnicity
Smoker
high blood pressure
opiod use
taking amiloride or similar medication
Women In Steady Exercise Research - Window of Opportunity for Exercise and Tumor Biology
The aim of the study is to test how an increase in the heart rate can interact with cancer. The study population is newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. The study intervention is an acute exercise test. The primary outcome of the study is imaging of the tumor before, and in a time course after, the acute exercise test.
The study is one single visit that lasts for about 3 hours. We will ask participants to fill out a few short questionnaires. Participants will be asked to walk or jog on a treadmill for as long as they can. We will collect blood samples via an IV line 1) before the acute exercise, 2) immediately after the exercise, 3) 30 min after the exercise, and 4) 2 hours after the exercise. Also, we will use an ultrasound machine to image breast and tumor 1) before the acute exercise, 2) immediately after the exercise, 3) 30 min after the exercise, and 4) 2 hours after the exercise.
100
Breast tumor is more than 2 cm (T2)
No initiation of chemotherapy treatment
Pre-surgical breast resection
With or without lymph node involvement (N0-3)
Body weight <100 lbs
Started chemotherapy for breast cancer
Absolute contraindications for exercise stress testing by self-report, such as acute myocarditis or pericarditis, uncontrolled heart failure
Pregnant women
Effects of acid sensing ion channels blockade on the exercise pressor reflex following ischemia-reperfusion stress in healthy individuals
The purpose of this voluntary research study is to test if the drug amiloride can decrease blood pressure during exercise.
This project includes 3 visits to the research lab. Each visit last approximately 3.5-4 hours (~11-12 hours altogether). In each visit, you will be asked to perform foot exercise before and after a blood pressure cuff on your leg was inflated. You will also be asked to take pills prior to visit 2 and 3. One of these pills will be a drug called amiloride (10mg), which was traditionally used to lower blood pressure. The other pill will be a placebo (no active medication).
You will receive $25 per hour for your participation in this research study
21-40 years of age
Healthy (absence of any active or chronic disease)
Pregnant or nursing women
Have a major disease (heart, lungs, kidney, diabetes, cancer)
current smoker
High blood pressure
Age Comparisons of Exercising Muscle O2 Supply in Healthy Adults: Effects of Esmolol Infusion
This research is being conducted to determine how oxygen extraction within exercising muscles is altered in younger and older women when beta-1 receptors (receptors that contribute to the rise in heart rate with exercise) are temporarily blocked through a medication infused into an arm vein. The findings will help us understand how aging affects the regulation of oxygen supply to working muscles is regulated with normal aging.
There will be 3 in person visits. Visit 1) Subjects will undergo a physical and one blood draw in the Clinical Research Center and then perform two recumbent cycling exercise trials on a stationary bike. Visit 2) Subjects will undergo a DXA scan and then perform two recumbent cycling exercise trials. Visit 3) Subjects will have an IV catheter inserted into an arm vein. They will then perform two recumbent cycling exercise trials. During one trial the will receive esmolol via the IV catheter and during the other they will receive saline via the IV catheter (random order).
$150
Postmenopausal women (55-70 years)
Individuals taking hormone therapy
Pregnant or lactating
Individuals with any over cardiovascular, metabolic, hematologic, pulmonary, renal, musculoskeletal, and/or neurological disorders
Examining views associated with physical exercise and its connection to diet, social connectivity, and stress reduction: Online Focus Groups
The primary objective of this study is to examine, via online focus groups, the perceptions that are held by potentially-eligible subjects in the PSH DPP program in regard to the importance of physical exercise, particularly within the context of diet, social connectivity, and stress reduction. These perspectives will then be used to help develop, test, and refine additional motivational text messages that can be used in a text messaging intervention. Participants will receive a $25.00 gift card.
Body Mass Index ≥25 kg/m2 (≥23 kg/m2 if Asian)
Have no previous diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes
Fluent in English
Body Mass Index <25 kg/m2 (<23 kg/m2if Asian)
Previous diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes
Not fluent in English
fMRI based mapping of the supraspinal projections of the exercise pressor reflex
This study will examine how the brain controls blood pressure responses during exercise, and will include 2 separate visits. In one visit, you will perform a series of handgrip exercises followed by inflation of a blood pressure cuff while we collect muscle nerve activity and blood pressure. In the other two sessions you will perform a similar task while laying in an MRI machine.
healthy
able to perform handgrip execise
normal blood pressure
have metal implants
taking heart medication
pregnant/nursing
smoker
Effects of heating on exercise pressor reflex in peripheral artery disease: Exercise Ability
To determine if the sympathetic and blood pressure (BP) responses to exercise will be attenuated during and after heat exposure in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD).
There will be up to 6 visits at the Hershey Medical Center. The visits involve walking on a treadmill, sitting in a warm or neutral temperature bath, wearing a heat suit, and having one or both of your legs in a warm bath.
You will receive $25 per hour for your participation in this research study
all minorities and ethnicies included
free of acute or chronic medical conditions
over 21 years old
under 21 years old
Decisional impairment
Active Men's Study
Description: This research study is to assess energetic status, reproductive health, and bone health in a population of young exercising men. Secondarily, this study will also explore how diet, fitness, cardiovascular function, eating behaviors, stress, cognitive function, and sleep related to energy and reproductive outcomes in exercising men. Eligible young men (age 18-35) are those who are generally healthy and either a) exercising or b) not exercising.
There will be essentially 4 study visits - The first visit will include informed consent to take part in the study & completion of questionnaires and measurement of anthropometrics. Visit 2 will include tests of your metabolism, a blood draw, and assessment of diet and physical activity. Visit 3 will include tests of body composition, bone health, aerobic and anaerobic fitness, cognitive testing and reproductive function. Visit 4 will consist of a results meeting and return of wearable devices and logs.
BMI between 16-29.9 kg/m2
Non-smoker
For sedentary participants: less than 150 minutes of purposeful exercise per week
For exercising participants: at least 150 minutes of purposeful exercise per week (moderate to high intensity aerobic and/or resistance training).
Procedures using contrast material within the past 7 days, including X-rays, MRI scans, CT scans, barium studies, nuclear medicine exams.
Currently a smoker or history of regular smoking
Prostheses
Vasectomy
Effects of acid sensing ion channels blockade with amiloride on exercise pressor reflex in patients with peripheral artery disease
The purpose of the study is to determine the effects of amiloride on the blood pressure response during exercise, and exercise tolerance in patients with PAD and healthy controls.
Any race or ethnicity
Healthy: Free of acute medical conditions
PAD: Diagnosis of PAD, no pain at rest
Resting blood pressure of 150/100 or higher
Already taking amiloride
Recent heart attack or epilepsy
Peripheral neuropathy
Understanding Prenatal Hydration Behaviors
To examine women’s self-reported pregnancy hydration behaviors, especially during a global pandemic. This study will also examine other lifestyle behaviors (e.g., weight gain, exercise, eating behaviors, sleep, pain management). It is hypothesized that hydration behaviors will decrease due to lifestyle changes related to the pandemic. Secondary outcomes will also be influenced by hydration behaviors and pandemic lifestyle changes.
Women
18-45
English speaking
Men
Younger than 18
Non-English speaking
NASH AMPK Exercise Dosing (AMPED) Trial
The purpose of this trial is to test different levels of exercise needed to reduce liver fat in patients with NASH.
If you take part in this research, your major responsibilities will include: • Completing exercise sessions (if randomized to exercise group). A typical exercise session will include a 5 minutes warm-up with stretching, 15-45 minutes of brisk walking, jogging or recumbent bike and a 5-minute cool-down.
250.00
NASH diagnosis
BMI 25-45 kg/m2
sedentary lifestyle
Active cardiac symptoms
Cancer that is active
Inability to provide informed consent
Other liver disease
Women In Steady Exercise Research - Neoadjuvant Exercise Trial
The primary purpose of this pilot study is to determine whether breast cancer patients whom elect to undergo cardiotoxic neoadjuvant chemotherapy can be enrolled and retained in a 6 month at home aerobic exercise training study. Using a randomized controlled trial approach, we will examine the safety and efficacy of a well monitored moderate-to-high intensity aerobic training program completed at home in breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In addition to assessing safety and efficacy of the program, we will assess intervention effects on cardiopulmonary fitness, cardiac function, and tumor response.
Scheduled to start neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Sedentary
No heart disease
Heart disease
Non-English speaking
In Vivo Assessment of the Effect of Bench Press Exercise on Glenohumeral Cartilage Deformation
The goal of this project is to investigate the impact of high-load exercise, like the bench press with a large amount of weight as opposed to an exercise like the push-up, on the shoulder joint cartilage , tissue on the ends of our bones that cushion and protect them from damage, as well as assess how well qualitative assessments of personal pre- and post-exercise pain coordinate with cartilage structure. We predict that there will be a significant difference in pre- and post-exercise cartilage thickness.
The study involves one research visit where you will: lie on your back for 45 minutes while a study team member asks survey questions; have an MRI of your dominant shoulder that takes approximately 15-30 minutes; travel to the University Fitness Center on the Penn State Health Hershey's campus for the bench press exercise protocol; return for an MRI post-exercise on the same shoulder; complete a post-exercise questionnaire (approx. 30 minutes). Travel will be in your own vehicle. Total time about 6 hours.
English speaking
Inability to undergo MRI
Inability to perform exercise protocol
Pregnant
Under the age of 18 or over the age of 35