How a Single Workout Affects Gut Bugs in Women With Different Fitness Levels and Body Types

Launched by GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · Nov 13, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how a single workout affects the gut bacteria and overall health of women with different fitness levels and body types. Specifically, the researchers want to see how a 30-minute aerobic exercise session, where participants work at a moderate intensity, changes the types of beneficial bacteria in the gut and the substances they produce. They are particularly interested in how this might differ between women who are physically active and those who are not, as well as how it relates to their body weight.

To participate in this study, you need to be a woman between the ages of 18 and 45 with a body mass index (BMI) either below 25 or between 30 and 40. You should either be regularly exercising (at least four times a week for 60 minutes each time) or be someone who doesn’t currently exercise much at all. Participants will be asked to complete the exercise session and provide samples for testing. If you have any medical conditions, are pregnant, or are currently taking certain supplements or medications, you may not be eligible for this trial. This study aims to better understand the connection between exercise, gut health, and overall well-being in women.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Biological sex: female
• • BMI 19 to 24.99 kg/m2 or BMI 30-40 kg/m2
• • Exercisers: Exercise at least 4 times per week for 60 minutes (a total of 240 minutes per week) on a programmed exercise training either on endurance sports (e.g., running, cycling, triathlon), strength (e.g., powerlifting), or team sports (e.g., rugby, football, soccer)
• • Non-Exercisers: Sedentary individuals who have not reached the PA guidelines (150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week, 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate and vigorous-intensity physical activity).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Biological sex: male
• • BMI \< 19 kg/m2 or \> 40 kg/m2
• • Currently pregnant, \< 2 years postpartum, lactating
• • Currently taking any herbal, fiber, or prebiotic supplement
• • Current or 1-month before the study, taking oral or vaginal antibiotics
• • Diagnosed with any gastrointestinal, endocrine, digestive, cancer, or cardiovascular disease.