Search Results
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
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, providing two saliva samples, 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 medication in the past six months, other than oral contraceptives
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
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 5 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, a saliva collection, and assessment of diet and physical activity. Visit 3 will be a short visit for a saliva collection. Visit 4 will include tests of stress (a hair sample), body composition, bone health, aerobic and anaerobic fitness, cognitive testing, and reproductive function. Visit 5 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.
There will be 3 in-person visits. You will take a capsule of amiloride or placebo before visits 2 and 3 and blood pressure, heart rate and other physiological measurements will be recorded.
You will receive $25 per hour for your participation in this research study
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
Sex and race differences in exercise pressor reflex under blood flow restriction condition
The purpose of this voluntary research study is to test the effects of exercise on reduction in blood flow to exercising muscle.
You will be asked to participate in one visit to perform handgrip exercise and foot exercises with, and without a blood pressure cuff inflated on your arm and leg. Various physiological measurements will be recorded during this time including microneurography, blood pressure, heart rate, blood flow and muscle oxygenation.
You will receive $25 per hour for your participation in this research study
All races and ethnicities welcome
Are fluent in written and spoken English
Healthy status as defined by history and physical
blood pressure that is within a safe range (<150/100)
Pregnant or nursing woman
Current smoker
Any chronic diseases (heart, lung, neuromuscular disease or diabetes)
High blood pressure
Feasibility, Safety and Acceptability of a Mobile Health Delivered Exercise Training Program in Patients with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
This study will be a pilot study to evaluate the workability, safety and acceptability of Exercise and Liver FITness (EL-FIT), a mHealth exercise training program previously confirmed in patients with cirrhosis,(1) in patients with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)
El-Fit NASH (Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis) is a 9-week intervention trial for patients with NASH. Our goal is to evaluate the workability, safety and acceptability of Exercise and Liver FITness (EL-FIT), a mHealth exercise training program. The El-FIT application allows for participants to access to a library of guided workouts. All patients will be asked to complete a screening visit that includes a physical exam, height, and weight measurements & surveys. Participants will be asked to download the EL-Fit NASH application and use it for 8 weeks. In addition to using the application, participants will be asked to complete 3 check-in phone calls through-out the 8 weeks.
Evidence of NASH
Posission of a Smart Phone
Active or recent participation in exercise training program within the last 90 years
Active or recent weight-loss supplement use within the last 90 days
Active illicit substance use
Cancer that is active
Exercise pressor reflex in peripheral artery disease patients with leg revascularization
The purpose of this research study is to better understand how leg blood flow is regulated in healthy people and patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). It is also being done to examine if a standard-of-care peripheral intervention procedure to improve blood flow to the leg in PAD patients will improve the oxygen delivery and blood flow response to exercise in their legs.
Healthy subjects will participate in 1 visit and perform handgrip and foot (plantar flexion) exercises while several non-invasive measurements are recorded.
You will receive $25 per hour for your participation in this research study
All races and ethnicities welcome
Can speak and understand spoken English
Healthy status as defined by history and physical
Females may be on oral contraceptives, but will be excluded if they are pregnant or lactating
Pregnant or nursing women
Have a major disease (heart, lungs, kidney, diabetes, cancer)
Have resting blood pressure of 150/100 or higher
current smoker
Effects of Vitamin B6 on the Exercise Pressor Reflex in Lower Limb Ischemia-Reperfusion
In this study, we are trying to determine whether Vitamin B6 will help improve the exercise-induced cardiovascular response in healthy participants following a procedure by restricting and recovering the blood flow to the leg.
There will be 6 in-person visits over a month long supplementation of Vitamin B6. Three visits will include a blood draw. Half of the visits will include walking a treadmill and 3 will involve foot exercise (plantar flexion)
You will receive $25/hour for in-person visits and $50 for completing the B6 supplementation
All races and ethnicities welcome
Can speak and understand spoken English
Healthy status as defined by history and physical
Females may be on oral contraceptives, but will be excluded if they are pregnant or lactating
Current smoker
Known allergy or hypersensitivity to Vitamin B6
Use of recreational drugs in the past 6 months
Taking any medication containing B6 (including multivitamins)