OverweightExGenesNCT02416882
Exercise Genes: Genomic Association With Exercise Reinforcement
A study testing Aerobic Exercise, Resistance Exercise and Sedentary Option in people with Overweight and Obesity, run by USDA Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This study tests whether different physical activity patterns are linked an individual's genes. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 50 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Overweight, Obesity, Physical Activity
- What is being tested?
- Aerobic Exercise, Resistance Exercise and Sedentary Option
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 88 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- Apr 2015to Dec 2015
- 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 18 to 50 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- BMI within 18.5-35.0 kg/m2
- Healthy enough to exercise
- Active or inactive (not exercising at this time)
Who cannot join
- 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)
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
USDA Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center
Grand Forks, North Dakota, 58203
About this study
This study tests whether different physical activity patterns are linked an individual's genes.
Read the detailed description
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.
- Conditions
- Overweight, Obesity, Physical Activity
- Being tested
- Aerobic Exercise, Resistance Exercise, Sedentary Option
- Keywords
- active, not active, normal body weight
- Medical subject headings
- Overweight, Obesity, Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
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.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Aerobic Exercise vs Sedentary Option | Other | Relative Reinforcing Value of aerobic exercise versus sedentary activity will be determined. Receives: Other: Aerobic Exercise; Other: Sedentary Option |
| Resistance Exercise vs Sedentary Option | Other | Relative Reinforcing Value of resistance exercise versus sedentary activity will be determined. Receives: Other: Resistance Exercise; Other: Sedentary Option |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: Week 0 (Cross-sectional)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 Apr 2015 (estimated)
- Study startApr 2015
- Primary completionNov 2015
- Study completionDec 2015
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for OverweightStudies 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
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 88 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- USDA Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center
- Sponsor type
- US federal agency
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- James N Roemmich, PhD, Principal investigator, USDA Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02416882
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- GFHNRC405
- Acronym
- ExGenes
- Status last verified
- Apr 2025
- First submitted
- 2 Apr 2015
- Last updated
- 11 Apr 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 11 Apr 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Exercise Genes: Genomic Association With Exercise Reinforcement
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02416882
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ExGenes / GFHNRC405
- Conditions
- Overweight, Obesity, Physical Activity
- Keywords
- active, not active, normal body weight
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 88 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- USDA Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research CenterUS federal agency
- Study start
- Apr 2015 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Nov 2015 (actual)
- Study completion
- Dec 2015 (actual)
- First posted
- 15 Apr 2015 (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.
This study tests whether different physical activity patterns are linked an individual's genes.
Detailed description
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 design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Aerobic Exercise vs Sedentary Option | Other | Other: Aerobic Exercise, Other: Sedentary OptionRelative Reinforcing Value of aerobic exercise versus sedentary activity will be determined. |
| Resistance Exercise vs Sedentary Option | Other | Other: Resistance Exercise, Other: Sedentary OptionRelative Reinforcing Value of resistance exercise versus sedentary activity will be determined. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 50 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- BMI within 18.5-35.0 kg/m2
- Healthy enough to exercise
- Active or inactive (not exercising at this time)
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- 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)
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 ExerciseSubjects 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. | Other | Aerobic Exercise vs Sedentary Option |
| Resistance ExerciseSubjects 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. | Other | Resistance Exercise vs Sedentary Option |
| Sedentary OptionSubjects will rate their liking of three sedentary activities (reading magazines, playing puzzles, completing word games) as an alternative to exercise. | Other | Aerobic Exercise vs Sedentary Option, Resistance Exercise vs Sedentary Option |
Primary outcome
Relative reinforcing value (RRV) of physical activity
Time frame: Week 0 (Cross-sectional)
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.
Preference for intense physical activity and tolerance for exercise discomfort
Time frame: Week 0 (Cross-sectional)
Preference for intense physical activity and tolerance for exercise discomfort will be assessed by self-report questionnaire responses.
Genotypes of 23 small nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously identified to influence central dopamine release or uptake, reward, or physical activity
Time frame: Week 0 (Cross-sectional)
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.
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 11 Apr 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Overweight
RecruitingPhase 3
Vibegron for ENergy Thinking and Resilience in Aging
Obesity
Not yet recruitingObservational study
Evaluation of the Clinical Spectrum of Diabetes and Obesity in Youth and Adults
Obesity, Diabetes
RecruitingObservational study
Two-Year Weight Loss With GLP-1 Medications Compared With Sleeve Gastrectomy in Adults With Obesity
Obesity & Overweight
Active, not recruitingObservational study
Non-Invasive MASLD Diagnosis & T2D Remission Biomarkers
MASLD, T2DM (Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus)
Not yet recruitingObservational study
Assessing the Impact of Perceptions of Unpredictability on Objective Measures of Food Consumption and Metabolism
Healthy Volunteer, Obestity
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.
James N Roemmich, PhD principal investigator
USDA Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research 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 Exercise, Resistance Exercise and Sedentary Option in people with Overweight and Obesity, run by USDA Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research 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 3 inclusion and 5 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 11 Apr 2025. 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?
Relative reinforcing value (RRV) of physical activity (time frame: Week 0 (Cross-sectional)). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 11 Apr 2025.