CompletedNot Applicable

Effects of Different Exercises on Energy Metabolism and Muscle Activation in Normal-Weight and Overweight Students

China38 participantsStarted 2025-07-01

Plain-language summary

This clinical trial aims to investigate the effects of different exercise modalities on energy metabolism and muscle activation in both normal-weight and overweight university students. The main question it aims to answer is: Compared to normal-weight university students, does slow jogging at different step frequencies reduce body weight and increase energy expenditure (and metabolic rate) in overweight university students? Compared to normal-weight university students, does slow jogging at different step frequencies enhance muscle activation effects in overweight university students? Researchers will compare three distinct step frequencies during slow jogging (162, 180, and 198 steps per minute) to determine which exercise modality is potentially more effective for increasing energy expenditure and metabolic rate. Participants will: Participants will sequentially undergo three separate testing sessions, each involving ultra-slow running at one of the three step frequencies (162, 180, or 198 steps per minute). Testing sessions will occur once per week in the laboratory.

Who can participate

Age range

19 Years – 23 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria

. Aged 18 to 23 years old;
. BMI between 24.0 kg/m² and 27.9 kg/m² ;
. No participation in any structured weight loss or weight control interventions (including exercise programs, pharmacological agents, or dietary regimens) within the preceding three months;
. Cleared for exercise participation with no identified risks, as determined by the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q);
. Willing and able to comply fully with the experimental protocol, including completion of all training sessions and required measurements;
. Provision of written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Resting Energy Expenditure (REE)

Timeframe: Baseline

Energy Expenditure at Step Frequencies

Timeframe: through study completion, an average of 4 weeks

Heart rate

Timeframe: through study completion, an average of 4 weeks

Electromyographic indicators

Timeframe: through study completion, an average of 4 weeks

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07147985

SponsorShanxi Normal University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-07-15

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Energy Expenditure trials

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Age range

19 Years – 23 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion criteria

. Aged 18 to 23 years old;
. BMI between 24.0 kg/m² and 27.9 kg/m² ;
. No participation in any structured weight loss or weight control interventions (including exercise programs, pharmacological agents, or dietary regimens) within the preceding three months;
. Cleared for exercise participation with no identified risks, as determined by the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q);
. Willing and able to comply fully with the experimental protocol, including completion of all training sessions and required measurements;
. Provision of written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

What they're measuring

Resting Energy Expenditure (REE)

Timeframe: Baseline

Energy Expenditure at Step Frequencies

Timeframe: through study completion, an average of 4 weeks

Heart rate

Timeframe: through study completion, an average of 4 weeks

Electromyographic indicators

Timeframe: through study completion, an average of 4 weeks