AgingPEPNCT02039154
The Effect of Long Duration Exercise on the Diastolic Function of the Heart
A study testing Aerobic and strength training group and Balance and flexibility group in people with Aging, run by University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The purpose of this study is to determine whether vigorous exercise training 4-5 days/week for 2 years in sedentary middle aged men and women (ages 45-64) will improve cardiac and vascular compliance to a degree equivalent to life-long exercisers and the sedentary young. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 45 to 64 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Aging
- What is being tested?
- Aerobic and strength training group and Balance and flexibility group
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 61 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- Jul 2012to Jun 2016
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 45 to 64 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- healthy, sedentary men and women
- ages 45-64
- body mass index <30
- absence of co-morbid conditions including hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease as evidenced by angina or prior myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular disease as evidenced by prior transient ischemic attack or stroke
Who cannot join
- healthy, active (aerobic exercisers greater than 2 days per week) men and women
- ages less than 45 or over 64
- body mass index >30
- presence of co-morbid conditions including hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease as evidenced by angina or prior myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular disease as evidenced by prior transient ischemic attack or stroke
- Patients with chronic orthopedic injury that might make them unable to participate in an exercise testing will also be excluded
- Subjects unable to speak English will not be recruited because of the complex experimental studies and the need for precise communication between the volunteers and the research staff to ensure safety.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
The Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine
Dallas, Texas, 75231
About this study
The purpose of this study is to determine whether vigorous exercise training 4-5 days/week for 2 years in sedentary middle aged men and women (ages 45-64) will improve cardiac and vascular compliance to a degree equivalent to life-long exercisers and the sedentary young. Sedentary aging is associated with impaired diastolic function, which can lead to heart failure. However, if exercise training can be implemented early enough in life while cardiovascular plasticity still exists, then functional capacity can be maintained, preventing heart failure.
Read the detailed description
Objectives: Chronic physical inactivity contributes to the deaths of nearly 1 in 10 Americans. In seniors, the single most common life-threatening disease is congestive heart failure and for these patients, abnormalities of diastolic function play a critical role in the pathophysiology of their disease. The primary investigator's previous research has demonstrated that: a) healthy but sedentary aging leads to atrophy and stiffening of the heart with reduced myocardial and chamber compliance; b) in contrast, highly competitive senior athletes had cardiac compliance that was indistinguishable from healthy young individuals suggesting that lifelong exercise training prevented this stiffening; c) even prolonged and intense exercise training started after age 65 failed to reverse age-related cardiac and vascular stiffening; d) cardiac stiffening begins in middle age (45-64) and can be substantially prevented by training 4-5 days/wk. The primary objective of this project, is therefore to identify sedentary individuals aged 45-64, and initiate an exercise program carefully designed to maximize effects on cardiovascular compliance and function. After this aim is accomplished, we will have established a novel, practical exercise training strategy designed to prevent the cardiovascular stiffening with aging, improve the functional capacity in our aging population, and ultimately to prevent Heart failure with preserved Ejection Fraction. Such a determination would have enormous public health significance since this condition is quite difficult to treat once established.
Hypothesis: The investigators hypothesize that exercise training implemented 4-5 times/week for 2 yrs in sedentary middle aged men and women (45-64yr) will improve cardiac and vascular compliance to a degree equivalent to life-long exercisers (and sedentary young). The investigators will perform invasive and non-invasive assessment of cardiovascular structure and function before and after an exercise program involving high intensity aerobic intervals, lower intensity endurance ("base training"), and strength training.
Specific Aim: To test our hypothesis, there will be two groups of previously sedentary subjects, ages 45-64 for 2 years, with the following interventions: 1) subjects undergoing prolonged endurance/interval/strength exercise training; and 2) yoga/balance control.
A comprehensive set of "Baseline Testing" (prior to the two year intervention) and "Follow-up Testing" (after the two year intervention) will take place to assess the effects of the intervention. This testing will include submaximal and maximal exercise testing as well as comprehensive invasive (right heart catheterization) and non-invasive (ultrasound) measures of cardiac mechanics, relaxation and morphology. From these data, the following indices of diastolic and systolic function will be generated: Starling and pressure/volume curves; calculations of left ventricle wall stress and strain; and measurements of flow propagation velocity, ejection fraction and relaxation velocity.
- Conditions
- Aging
- Being tested
- Aerobic and strength training group, Balance and flexibility group
- Keywords
- Exercise, Exercise tolerance, Aging, Physical activity
- Medical subject headings
- Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Aerobic and strength training groupBehavioural
A exercise training program will be developed individually for each subject with the goal of increasing duration and intensity consistent with modern training techniques. Workouts will vary with respect to mode (walk, cycle, swim), duration (30-60 minutes), and intensity (base, interval, recovery) to optimize the training response. Each subject will be assigned a personal trainer and a heart rate monitor so that every session is carefully tracked and recorded. For intervals, we will use the novel high intensity aerobic intervals (HAIT). Subjects will also perform strength training 1-2 days/week.
Balance and flexibility groupBehavioural
For the balance and flexibility group, subjects will be encouraged to participate in yoga/tai chi/pilates classes that is approved by one of the exercise physiologists on the research team. The goal for this group is exercise classes that will be of benefit to them, but that will not include sustained aerobic, endurance exercise. In place of a group exercise class, subjects will have the option of purchasing videos for home use. The subjects will be encouraged to participate in some form of non-endurance training at least 3 days per week. Each subject will receive an exercise log in which they will be expected to record their training.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Aerobic and strength training group | Experimental | Not described Receives: Behavioral: Aerobic and strength training group |
| Balance and flexibility group | Active comparator | Not described Receives: Behavioral: Balance and flexibility group |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in left ventricular stiffness (diastolic function/static) after training
Measured: Two years
Secondary outcomes (3)
Change in diastolic function/dynamic after training
Measured: 2 years
Change in systolic function after training
Measured: 2 years
Change in ventricular-vascular coupling after training
Measured: 2 years
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Jan 2014 (estimated)
- Study startJul 2012
- Primary completionJun 2016
- Study completionJun 2016
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (5)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for AgingStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 61 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Benjamin D Levine, MD, Principal investigator, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02039154
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- STU 062012-055
- Acronym
- PEP
- Status last verified
- May 2020
- First submitted
- 10 Dec 2013
- Last updated
- 19 May 2020
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
Publications
Kyrouac D, Talbot N, MacNamara J, Howden E, Hieda M, Hearon C, Brazile T, Levine B, Sarma S. Effects of Year Long Aerobic Exercise on Left Atrial Size in Patients With Left Ventricular Hypertrophy. Am J Cardiol. 2025 Jun 1;244:3-8. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2025.02.020. Epub 2025 Feb 20.
PubMed 39986446Hieda M, Sarma S, Hearon CM Jr, Dias KA, Martinez J, Samels M, Everding B, Palmer D, Livingston S, Morris M, Howden E, Levine BD. Increased Myocardial Stiffness in Patients With High-Risk Left Ventricular Hypertrophy: The Hallmark of Stage-B Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction. Circulation. 2020 Jan 14;141(2):115-123. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.119.040332. Epub 2019 Dec 23.
PubMed 31865771McNamara DA, Aiad N, Howden E, Hieda M, Link MS, Palmer D, Samels M, Everding B, Ng J, Adams-Huet B, Opondo M, Sarma S, Levine BD. Left Atrial Electromechanical Remodeling Following 2 Years of High-Intensity Exercise Training in Sedentary Middle-Aged Adults. Circulation. 2019 Mar 19;139(12):1507-1516. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.118.037615.
PubMed 30586729Opondo MA, Aiad N, Cain MA, Sarma S, Howden E, Stoller DA, Ng J, van Rijckevorsel P, Hieda M, Tarumi T, Palmer MD, Levine BD. Does High-Intensity Endurance Training Increase the Risk of Atrial Fibrillation? A Longitudinal Study of Left Atrial Structure and Function. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol. 2018 May;11(5):e005598. doi: 10.1161/CIRCEP.117.005598.
PubMed 29748195Howden EJ, Sarma S, Lawley JS, Opondo M, Cornwell W, Stoller D, Urey MA, Adams-Huet B, Levine BD. Reversing the Cardiac Effects of Sedentary Aging in Middle Age-A Randomized Controlled Trial: Implications For Heart Failure Prevention. Circulation. 2018 Apr 10;137(15):1549-1560. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.117.030617. Epub 2018 Jan 8.
PubMed 29311053
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 19 May 2020. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Long Duration Exercise on the Diastolic Function of the Heart
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02039154
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PEP / STU 062012-055
- Conditions
- Aging
- Keywords
- Exercise, Exercise tolerance, Aging, Physical activity
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 61 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Jul 2012 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Jun 2016 (actual)
- Study completion
- Jun 2016 (actual)
- First posted
- 17 Jan 2014 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether vigorous exercise training 4-5 days/week for 2 years in sedentary middle aged men and women (ages 45-64) will improve cardiac and vascular compliance to a degree equivalent to life-long exercisers and the sedentary young. Sedentary aging is associated with impaired diastolic function, which can lead to heart failure. However, if exercise training can be implemented early enough in life while cardiovascular plasticity still exists, then functional capacity can be maintained, preventing heart failure.
Detailed description
Objectives: Chronic physical inactivity contributes to the deaths of nearly 1 in 10 Americans. In seniors, the single most common life-threatening disease is congestive heart failure and for these patients, abnormalities of diastolic function play a critical role in the pathophysiology of their disease. The primary investigator's previous research has demonstrated that: a) healthy but sedentary aging leads to atrophy and stiffening of the heart with reduced myocardial and chamber compliance; b) in contrast, highly competitive senior athletes had cardiac compliance that was indistinguishable from healthy young individuals suggesting that lifelong exercise training prevented this stiffening; c) even prolonged and intense exercise training started after age 65 failed to reverse age-related cardiac and vascular stiffening; d) cardiac stiffening begins in middle age (45-64) and can be substantially prevented by training 4-5 days/wk. The primary objective of this project, is therefore to identify sedentary individuals aged 45-64, and initiate an exercise program carefully designed to maximize effects on cardiovascular compliance and function. After this aim is accomplished, we will have established a novel, practical exercise training strategy designed to prevent the cardiovascular stiffening with aging, improve the functional capacity in our aging population, and ultimately to prevent Heart failure with preserved Ejection Fraction. Such a determination would have enormous public health significance since this condition is quite difficult to treat once established.
Hypothesis: The investigators hypothesize that exercise training implemented 4-5 times/week for 2 yrs in sedentary middle aged men and women (45-64yr) will improve cardiac and vascular compliance to a degree equivalent to life-long exercisers (and sedentary young). The investigators will perform invasive and non-invasive assessment of cardiovascular structure and function before and after an exercise program involving high intensity aerobic intervals, lower intensity endurance ("base training"), and strength training.
Specific Aim: To test our hypothesis, there will be two groups of previously sedentary subjects, ages 45-64 for 2 years, with the following interventions: 1) subjects undergoing prolonged endurance/interval/strength exercise training; and 2) yoga/balance control.
A comprehensive set of "Baseline Testing" (prior to the two year intervention) and "Follow-up Testing" (after the two year intervention) will take place to assess the effects of the intervention. This testing will include submaximal and maximal exercise testing as well as comprehensive invasive (right heart catheterization) and non-invasive (ultrasound) measures of cardiac mechanics, relaxation and morphology. From these data, the following indices of diastolic and systolic function will be generated: Starling and pressure/volume curves; calculations of left ventricle wall stress and strain; and measurements of flow propagation velocity, ejection fraction and relaxation velocity.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Aerobic and strength training group | Experimental | Behavioral: Aerobic and strength training group |
| Balance and flexibility group | Active comparator | Behavioral: Balance and flexibility group |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 45 to 64 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- healthy, sedentary men and women
- ages 45-64
- body mass index <30
- absence of co-morbid conditions including hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease as evidenced by angina or prior myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular disease as evidenced by prior transient ischemic attack or stroke
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- healthy, active (aerobic exercisers greater than 2 days per week) men and women
- ages less than 45 or over 64
- body mass index >30
- presence of co-morbid conditions including hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease as evidenced by angina or prior myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular disease as evidenced by prior transient ischemic attack or stroke
- Patients with chronic orthopedic injury that might make them unable to participate in an exercise testing will also be excluded
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Aerobic and strength training groupA exercise training program will be developed individually for each subject with the goal of increasing duration and intensity consistent with modern training techniques. Workouts will vary with respect to mode (walk, cycle, swim), duration (30-60 minutes), and intensity (base, interval, recovery) to optimize the training response. Each subject will be assigned a personal trainer and a heart rate monitor so that every session is carefully tracked and recorded. For intervals, we will use the novel high intensity aerobic intervals (HAIT). Subjects will also perform strength training 1-2 days/week. | Behavioural | Aerobic and strength training group |
| Balance and flexibility groupFor the balance and flexibility group, subjects will be encouraged to participate in yoga/tai chi/pilates classes that is approved by one of the exercise physiologists on the research team. The goal for this group is exercise classes that will be of benefit to them, but that will not include sustained aerobic, endurance exercise. In place of a group exercise class, subjects will have the option of purchasing videos for home use. The subjects will be encouraged to participate in some form of non-endurance training at least 3 days per week. Each subject will receive an exercise log in which they will be expected to record their training. | Behavioural | Balance and flexibility group |
Primary outcome
Change in left ventricular stiffness (diastolic function/static) after training
Time frame: Two years
3 secondary outcomes
Change in diastolic function/dynamic after training
Time frame: 2 years
Change in systolic function after training
Time frame: 2 years
Change in ventricular-vascular coupling after training
Time frame: 2 years
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 19 May 2020.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 39986446Kyrouac D, Talbot N, MacNamara J, Howden E, Hieda M, Hearon C, Brazile T, Levine B, Sarma S. Effects of Year Long Aerobic Exercise on Left Atrial Size in Patients With Left Ventricular Hypertrophy. Am J Cardiol. 2025 Jun 1;244:3-8. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2025.02.020. Epub 2025 Feb 20.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 31865771Hieda M, Sarma S, Hearon CM Jr, Dias KA, Martinez J, Samels M, Everding B, Palmer D, Livingston S, Morris M, Howden E, Levine BD. Increased Myocardial Stiffness in Patients With High-Risk Left Ventricular Hypertrophy: The Hallmark of Stage-B Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction. Circulation. 2020 Jan 14;141(2):115-123. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.119.040332. Epub 2019 Dec 23.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 30586729McNamara DA, Aiad N, Howden E, Hieda M, Link MS, Palmer D, Samels M, Everding B, Ng J, Adams-Huet B, Opondo M, Sarma S, Levine BD. Left Atrial Electromechanical Remodeling Following 2 Years of High-Intensity Exercise Training in Sedentary Middle-Aged Adults. Circulation. 2019 Mar 19;139(12):1507-1516. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.118.037615.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 29748195Opondo MA, Aiad N, Cain MA, Sarma S, Howden E, Stoller DA, Ng J, van Rijckevorsel P, Hieda M, Tarumi T, Palmer MD, Levine BD. Does High-Intensity Endurance Training Increase the Risk of Atrial Fibrillation? A Longitudinal Study of Left Atrial Structure and Function. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol. 2018 May;11(5):e005598. doi: 10.1161/CIRCEP.117.005598.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 29311053Howden EJ, Sarma S, Lawley JS, Opondo M, Cornwell W, Stoller D, Urey MA, Adams-Huet B, Levine BD. Reversing the Cardiac Effects of Sedentary Aging in Middle Age-A Randomized Controlled Trial: Implications For Heart Failure Prevention. Circulation. 2018 Apr 10;137(15):1549-1560. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.117.030617. Epub 2018 Jan 8.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Benjamin D Levine, MD principal investigator
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Aerobic and strength training group and Balance and flexibility group in people with Aging, run by University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 19 May 2020. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in left ventricular stiffness (diastolic function/static) after training (time frame: Two years). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT02039154, which also lists 5 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 19 May 2020.