Sedentary BehaviorsNCT07585617
Step-Up vs. Running Exercise at Matched Heart Rate Zones in Sedentary Males
A study testing Loaded Step-Up Exercise and Treadmill Running in people with Sedentary Behaviors and Physical Inactivity, run by Ankara University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study compares the effects of two aerobic exercise methods - loaded step-up exercise and treadmill running - on cardiovascular fitness, leg strength, heart rate variability, and recovery in sedentary adult males. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 40 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Sedentary Behaviors, Physical Inactivity
- What is being tested?
- Loaded Step-Up Exercise and Treadmill Running
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 36 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 20 Feb 2024to 10 Jun 2024
- 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 40 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Male, aged 18-40 years
- Sedentary - no participation in structured exercise programs for at least 6 months prior to the study
- Free from chronic diseases
- No musculoskeletal injuries or surgical interventions within the last 6 months
Who cannot join
- Female sex
- Age below 18 or above 40 years
- Participation in structured exercise within the last 6 months
- Presence of chronic disease
- Musculoskeletal injury or surgical intervention within the last 6 months
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Ankara University Faculty of Sport Sciences
Ankara, Golbasi
About this study
Official title: Assessment of Cardiovascular, Autonomic, and Isometric Leg Strength Adaptations Following Step-Up Versus Running Exercise at Matched Heart Rate Zones in Sedentary Males
This study compares the effects of two aerobic exercise methods - loaded step-up exercise and treadmill running - on cardiovascular fitness, leg strength, heart rate variability, and recovery in sedentary adult males. Both exercise groups will train at 80-85% of maximum heart rate, three sessions per week for six weeks. A control group will not participate in any training. Measurements of estimated VO₂max, isometric leg strength, resting heart rate, heart rate variability indices, and heart rate recovery will be taken before and after the intervention.
- Conditions
- Sedentary Behaviors, Physical Inactivity
- Being tested
- Loaded Step-Up Exercise, Treadmill Running
- Keywords
- Exercise intervention, Heart rate variability, VO2max, Isometric strength, Step-up exercise, Aerobic training
- Medical subject headings
- Sedentary Behavior
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Loaded Step-Up ExerciseBehavioural
Step-up exercise performed on an adjustable platform at individually assigned heights (35 cm or 40 cm, based on participant height), with a load equal to 20% of body weight, at 80-85% of maximum heart rate, 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks with progressive volume increase.
Treadmill RunningBehavioural
Continuous treadmill running at 80-85% of maximum heart rate, 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks with progressive volume increase.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Step-up Exercise Group (STP) | Experimental | Participants performed loaded step-up exercises at 80-85% of maximum heart rate using a load of 20% body weight, 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks with progressive volume. Receives: Behavioral: Loaded Step-Up Exercise |
| Treadmill Running Group (R) | Active comparator | Participants performed continuous treadmill running at 80-85% of maximum heart rate, 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks with progressive volume. Receives: Behavioral: Treadmill Running |
| Control Group (C) | No intervention | Participants did not engage in any structured exercise training during the 6-week period. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Estimated VO2max
Estimated maximal oxygen uptake assessed via Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1
Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks
Isometric Leg Strength
Maximum isometric leg strength measured using a Takei back-leg lift dynamometer
Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks
Secondary outcomes (2)
Heart Rate Variability
HRV indices including pNN50 and MeanRR measured via Polar H10 during supine rest
Measured: Baseline and 6 weeks
Heart Rate Recovery
Time to recovery after and between sets of exercise sessions measured weekly across the 6-week intervention
Measured: Weeks 1 through 6
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted14 May 2026
- Study start20 Feb 2024
- Primary completion28 May 2024
- Study completion10 Jun 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Sedentary BehaviorsStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Ankara UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ankara University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Dicle Aras, Ankara University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07585617
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- AUFS-2024-001
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 6 May 2026
- Last updated
- 14 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 14 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Assessment of Cardiovascular, Autonomic, and Isometric Leg Strength Adaptations Following Step-Up Versus Running Exercise at Matched Heart Rate Zones in Sedentary Males
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07585617
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- AUFS-2024-001
- Conditions
- Sedentary Behaviors, Physical Inactivity
- Keywords
- Exercise intervention, Heart rate variability, VO2max, Isometric strength, Step-up exercise, Aerobic training
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 36 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Ankara UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 20 Feb 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 28 May 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 10 Jun 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 14 May 2026 (actual)
- 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 compares the effects of two aerobic exercise methods - loaded step-up exercise and treadmill running - on cardiovascular fitness, leg strength, heart rate variability, and recovery in sedentary adult males. Both exercise groups will train at 80-85% of maximum heart rate, three sessions per week for six weeks. A control group will not participate in any training. Measurements of estimated VO₂max, isometric leg strength, resting heart rate, heart rate variability indices, and heart rate recovery will be taken before and after the intervention.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Step-up Exercise Group (STP) | Experimental | Behavioral: Loaded Step-Up ExerciseParticipants performed loaded step-up exercises at 80-85% of maximum heart rate using a load of 20% body weight, 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks with progressive volume. |
| Treadmill Running Group (R) | Active comparator | Behavioral: Treadmill RunningParticipants performed continuous treadmill running at 80-85% of maximum heart rate, 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks with progressive volume. |
| Control Group (C) | No intervention | –Participants did not engage in any structured exercise training during the 6-week period. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 40 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Male, aged 18-40 years
- Sedentary - no participation in structured exercise programs for at least 6 months prior to the study
- Free from chronic diseases
- No musculoskeletal injuries or surgical interventions within the last 6 months
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Female sex
- Age below 18 or above 40 years
- Participation in structured exercise within the last 6 months
- Presence of chronic disease
- Musculoskeletal injury or surgical intervention within the last 6 months
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Loaded Step-Up ExerciseStep-up exercise performed on an adjustable platform at individually assigned heights (35 cm or 40 cm, based on participant height), with a load equal to 20% of body weight, at 80-85% of maximum heart rate, 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks with progressive volume increase. | Behavioural | Step-up Exercise Group (STP) |
| Treadmill RunningContinuous treadmill running at 80-85% of maximum heart rate, 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks with progressive volume increase. | Behavioural | Treadmill Running Group (R) |
Primary outcome
Estimated VO2max
Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
Estimated maximal oxygen uptake assessed via Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1
Isometric Leg Strength
Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
Maximum isometric leg strength measured using a Takei back-leg lift dynamometer
2 secondary outcomes
Heart Rate Variability
Time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks
Heart Rate Recovery
Time frame: Weeks 1 through 6
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 14 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Loaded Step-Up Exercise and Treadmill Running in people with Sedentary Behaviors and Physical Inactivity, run by Ankara University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 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 14 May 2026. 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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?
Estimated VO2max (time frame: Baseline and 6 weeks). The study lists 2 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 14 May 2026.