CClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT04025723Updated Mar 25, 2021

Differences in Rate of Recovery Between Young and Middle-aged Men After Downhill Running

An interventional study of Downhill running in Exercise, sponsored by Gepner Yftach. Completed at 1 site in Israel. Open to male participants aged 18 Years to 50 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2021-03-25.

Sponsored by Gepner Yftach · Not applicable, Interventional, and Diagnostic

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
30
Allocation
Non-randomized
Ages
18 Years to 50 Years
Sex
Male
01

Study summary

The aim of this study is to evaluate differences in rate of recovery between young and middle-aged men after prolonged (downhill) running. Thirty healthy young (n=15, 18-30 y) and middle-aged (n=15, 35-50y) men will be recruited for this study. Participants will perform 60 minutes of downhill run at 65% of their maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). Recovery parameters will be evaluated during 48 hours following the downhill protocol, and will include changes in performance tests, inflammatory markers, muscle integrity and heart-rate variability. Questioners will be used to evaluate muscle soreness and fatigue. We hypothesized that middle-aged males will have longer rate of recovery following the downhill running protocol, as compared to younger age males.

02

Conditions studied

  • Exercise
03

In context

Lead sponsor

Gepner Yftach is the lead sponsor of 2 studies on the registry; 1 is open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 50 Years
Sexes eligible
Male
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

  • Active man which perform a minimum of 150 minutes/week of exercise
  • Able to complete 60 min run.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Injuries in lower body
  • cardio-respiratory disease
  • supplementing with performance enhancing supplements
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Diagnostic
Allocation
Non-randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
30 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    Young

    men aged between 18 to 30 years old

    Other: Downhill running

  • Active comparator
    Middle-aged

    men aged between 35 to 50 years old

    Other: Downhill running

Interventions

  • OtherDownhill running

    60 minutes downhill running in 10% grade, in an effort of 65% of VO2max.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Changes over time in Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the Musculus quadriceps femoris

    MVC (kg) measures the greatest amount of tension a muscle can generate and hold. We will measure it before (baseline) and after the downhill running protocol. Changes from baseline will be calculated for each time point. A comparison of the changes in MVC over time will be made between the two study's arms .

    Time frame: MVC will be measured before and after 30, 60, 120 minutes (Day 0), 24 (Day 1) and 48 hours (Day 2) after the downhill running

  2. Changes over time in vertical jump (VJ)

    VJ (cm) is the height achieved after a vertical jump.We will measure it before (baseline) and after the downhill running protocol. Changes from baseline will be calculated for each time point. A comparison of the changes in VJ over time will be made between the two study's arms .

    Time frame: VJ will be measured before and after 30, 60, 120 minutes (Day 0), 24 (Day 1) and 48 hours (Day 2) after the downhill running

  3. Changes over time in stride length

    Stride length (cm) is the distance achieved while walking or running and is calculated as the distance from the toe of your right foot (starting position) to the toe of your right foot (ending position). Participants will run on a treadmill with pressure sensors for 2 minutes. We will measure stride length before (baseline) and after the downhill running protocol. Changes from baseline will be calculated for each time point. A comparison of the changes in stride length over time will be made between the two study's arms .

    Time frame: Stride length will be measured before and after 30, 60, 120 minutes (Day 0), 24 (Day 1) and 48 hours (Day 2) after the downhill running

  4. Changes over time in stride frequency

    Stride frequency (strides per minutes) is the number of times a single foot hits the ground while walking or running. Participants will run on a treadmill with pressure sensors for 2 minutes. We will measure stride frequency before (baseline) and after the downhill running protocol. Changes from baseline will be calculated for each time point. A comparison of the changes in stride frequency over time will be made between the two study's arms .

    Time frame: Stride frequency will be measured before and after 30, 60, 120 minutes (Day 0), 24 (Day 1) and 48 hours (Day 2) after the downhill running

Secondary outcomes

  1. Changes over time in the concentration of circulating interleukin -6 (IL-6)

    Concentration of circulating IL-6 (pg/ml) will be measured before (baseline) and after the downhill running protocol. Changes from baseline will be calculated for each time point. A comparison of the changes in concentration of circulating IL-6 over time will be made between the two study's arms .

    Time frame: The circulating parameters will be measured before and after 30, 60, 120 minutes (Day 0), 24 (Day 1) and 48 hours (Day 2) after the downhill running

  2. Changes over time in the concentration of circulating interleukin -10 (IL-10)

    Concentration of circulating IL-10 (pg/ml) will be measured before (baseline) and after the downhill running protocol. Changes from baseline will be calculated for each time point. A comparison of the changes in concentration of circulating IL-6 over time will be made between the two study's arms .

    Time frame: The circulating parameters will be measured before and after 30, 60, 120 minutes (Day 0), 24 (Day 1) and 48 hours (Day 2) after the downhill running

  3. Changes over time in the concentration of circulating interleukin -1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra)

    Concentration of circulating IL-1ra (pg/ml) will be measured before (baseline) and after the downhill running protocol. Changes from baseline will be calculated for each time point. A comparison of the changes in concentration of circulating IL-6 over time will be made between the two study's arms .

    Time frame: The circulating parameters will be measured before and after 30, 60, 120 minutes (Day 0), 24 (Day 1) and 48 hours (Day 2) after the downhill running

  4. Changes over time in the concentration of circulating tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFa)

    Concentration of circulating TNFa (pg/ml) will be measured before (baseline) and after the downhill running protocol. Changes from baseline will be calculated for each time point. A comparison of the changes in concentration of circulating IL-6 over time will be made between the two study's arms .

    Time frame: The circulating parameters will be measured before and after 30, 60, 120 minutes (Day 0), 24 (Day 1) and 48 hours (Day 2) after the downhill running

  5. Changes over time in the concentration of circulating c-reactive protein (CRP)

    Concentration of circulating CRP (nmol/L) will be measured before (baseline) and after the downhill running protocol. Changes from baseline will be calculated for each time point. A comparison of the changes in concentration of circulating IL-6 over time will be made between the two study's arms .

    Time frame: The circulating parameters will be measured before and after 30, 60, 120 minutes (Day 0), 24 (Day 1) and 48 hours (Day 2) after the downhill running

  6. Changes over time in the concentration of circulating creatine kinase (CK)

    Concentration of circulating CK (IU/L) will be measured before (baseline) and after the downhill running protocol. Changes from baseline will be calculated for each time point. A comparison of the changes in concentration of circulating IL-6 over time will be made between the two study's arms .

    Time frame: The circulating parameters will be measured before and after 30, 60, 120 minutes (Day 0), 24 (Day 1) and 48 hours (Day 2) after the downhill running

  7. Changes over time in the concentration of circulating lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)

    Concentration of circulating LDH (IU/L) will be measured before (baseline) and after the downhill running protocol. Changes from baseline will be calculated for each time point. A comparison of the changes in concentration of circulating IL-6 over time will be made between the two study's arms .

    Time frame: The circulating parameters will be measured before intervention, immediately after, 30, 60, 120 minutes, 24 and 48 h post intervention.

  8. Changes over time in muscle fibers morphology

    Muscle fibers morphology of the Musculus quadriceps femoris will be assessed by Diffusion Tensor Imaging by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We will assess muscle fiber morphology before (baseline) and 48 hours after the downhill running protocol. Changes from baseline will be calculated for each time point. A comparison of the changes in muscle fiber morphology over time will be made between the two study's arms .

    Time frame: MRI will be conducted up to 1 week before the intervention (screening day, Day -1) and after 24 hours (Day 1) or 48 hours (Day 2) post downhill running.

  9. Changes over time in delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS)

    DOMS will be evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The VAS scale will be 150 mm line with "no pain" on one side and "maximal pain" on the other. Each participant will mark a line based on his soreness in the Musculus quadriceps femoris and Musculus gastrocnemius. The distance (mm) from the "no pain" side will be measured. DOMS assessment will be made before (baseline) and after the downhill running protocol. Changes from baseline will be calculated for each time point.

    Time frame: DOMS will be measured before intervention, immediately after, 30, 60, 120 minutes after (Day 0), 24 hours (Day 1) and 48 hours (Day 2) post downhill running.

  10. Changes over time in Mood States

    Changes in mood state will be assessed using the Profile of Mood States questioner (POMS). POMS is a validated questioners comprised from 58 feelings and emotions. For each parameter, the participants will be asked how he feels right know and select a value ranging between 0 to 4, where "0" means "not at all" and "4" means "extremely". A Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) score is calculated by summing the totals for the negative sub-scales and then subtracting the totals for the positive sub-scales.

    Time frame: Changes in Mood States will be measured before intervention, immediately after, 30, 60, 120 minutes after (Day 0), 24 hours (Day 1) and 48 hours (Day 2) post downhill running.

  11. Changes over time in total fatigue

    Changes in total fatigue will be assessed using the Rating Of Fatigue scale (ROF). ROF is a validated 11-point numerical scale ranging from zero to ten. Participants will be asked to rate how fatigued they feel whereas, "0" is "not fatigued at all" and "10" is "Total fatigue and exhaustion- nothing left". Total fatigue assessment will be made before (baseline) and after the downhill running protocol. Changes from baseline will be calculated for each time point.

    Time frame: Changes in total fatigue will be measured before intervention, immediately after, 30, 60, 120 minutes after (Day 0), 24 hours (Day 1) and 48 hours (Day 2) post downhill running.

  12. Changes over time in none-specific muscle fatigue- MVC of the forearm

    We will measure none-specific muscle fatigue using hand gripper to evaluate the forearm MVC (kg). We will measure it before (baseline) and after the downhill running protocol. Changes from baseline will be calculated for each time point. A comparison of the changes in MVC over time will be made between the two study's arms .

    Time frame: None-specific muscle fatigue tests will be measured before intervention, immediately after, 30, 60, 120 minutes after (Day 0), 24 hours (Day 1) and 48 hours (Day 2) post downhill running.

  13. Changes over time in heart rate variability (HRV)

    HRV (ms) quantifies the variability between heart beats. We will use the time-based analysis and the root mean square of successive differences of R-R intervals (RMSSD) value. The measurements will be done continuously with a heart rate monitor. Baseline measurements will be done for 3 to 5 days before the downhill running and the average value will be defined as "baseline HRV". Changes in HRV will be measured continuously in the 48 hours following the running. Percentage from "baseline HRV" will be calculated and compared between the two study's arms.

    Time frame: Between 3 to 5 days before screening day (Day -1) and downhill running (Day 0) for baseline assessment, and after the downhill running (Day 0) until day 2

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Tel Aviv University
    Tel Aviv, Israel
08

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Mar 25, 2021, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
09

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT04025723
Lead sponsor
Gepner Yftach
Responsible party
Gepner Yftach (Principal Investigator, Tel Aviv University) — Sponsor-investigator
First posted
Jul 19, 2019
Start date
Feb 20, 2020
Primary completion
Jan 16, 2021
Completion
Jan 16, 2021
Last update
Mar 25, 2021

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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