Kidney Blood Flow During Exercise in Older African American Adults

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS, BOSTON · Jun 11, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This study is looking at how blood flows to the kidneys during exercise and other types of stress in healthy older adults who identify as African American compared to those who identify as White. The researchers want to see if African American adults have a bigger drop in kidney blood flow when they exercise or face stress, which might help explain why many African American adults have higher rates of heart and kidney problems. Understanding this could lead to better ways to prevent these health issues in the future.

To take part, you need to be an older adult who identifies as either African American or White, was born in the United States, and has parents of the same racial background. You should be physically active but not training for competitions, and able to speak English well. During one visit to the lab, participants will do some gentle cycling while lying down, try a cold hand test (which involves putting your hand in cold water), and complete a simple mental math task. People with certain health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart and kidney diseases, as well as smokers or those taking related medications, will not be eligible. This study is currently looking for volunteers to help learn more about kidney health during exercise and stress.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Self-report as either African American or White racial identity
• • Born in United States
• • Both biological parents identify as same racial identity as participant
• • Recreationally active (participating in physical activity for at least 20 minutes per day, at least three times per week, but not training for competitive events)
• • Fluent in English
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Hispanic or Latino
• • Females who are pregnant or lactating
• • Cardiovascular or renal disease
• • Hypertension (blood pressure of more than or equal to 130/80 mmHg)
• • Diabetes
• • Obesity (body mass index of more than or equal to 30 kg/m2)
• • Smoker/Tobacco user
• • Acute medical conditions
• • Taking prescribed cardiovascular, antihypertensive, or renal medications