An interventional study of Exercise - Relative High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) in Age Over 50 Years, sponsored by Hungarian University of Sports Science. Completed at 1 site in Hungary. Open to participants aged 50 Years to 70 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-02.
Sponsored by Hungarian University of Sports Science · Not applicable, Interventional, and Basic science
This study investigated the effects of a structured 6-month high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program on blood DNA methylation-based measures of biological ageing, physical fitness, cardiovascular function, body composition, metabolic health, and the gut microbiome in adults aged 50-70 years.
Participants completed supervised exercise training three times per week for 6 months. Exercise intensity was individually prescribed based on estimated maximal heart rate (HRmax) and continuously monitored using Polar H10 heart-rate sensors. Perceived exertion was also assessed using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale to support safe and appropriate exercise intensity. The training program progressively increased the amount of high-intensity exercise over the intervention period. High-intensity intervals were performed above approximately 80% of estimated HRmax and were separated by 2-minute periods of active recovery.
Before and after the intervention, participants underwent physiological and functional assessments. Cardiovascular function was evaluated using echocardiography. Aerobic capacity was assessed using spiroergometry and the Chester Step Test for estimation of VO₂max. Muscular performance was evaluated using maximal vertical jump and handgrip strength tests. Exercise volume was quantified using oxygen-consumption and heart-rate data collected during exercise and expressed as MET-hours (MET-hrs), allowing the individual exercise dose accumulated during the intervention to be characterized.
Body composition was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Measurements included total and regional fat mass and fat-free mass, allowing changes in overall and regional body composition to be evaluated.
Blood samples were collected before and after the intervention, with participants refraining from exercise for 48 hours before blood collection. Samples were analyzed for selected metabolic and clinical biomarkers, including glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and liver enzymes.
Blood samples were also used to assess blood DNA methylation-based measures of biological ageing. Genome-wide DNA methylation was measured using the Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip. Several DNA methylation-based ageing measures were calculated, including DNAmFitAge, DNAmPhenoAge, DNAmGrimAge, Hannum Age, DunedinPACE, and the Horvath Skin \& Blood and pan-tissue clocks. Changes in biological age acceleration were evaluated between baseline and post-intervention.
The gut microbiome was characterized using shotgun metagenomic sequencing to assess changes in microbial composition and functional potential following the exercise intervention.
The primary overall objective of the study was to determine whether the individual volume of exercise performed, quantified as MET-hours, was associated with changes in blood DNA methylation-based biological age acceleration following the 6-month intervention. The study also examined whether exercise volume and training-related changes were associated with changes in physical fitness, cardiovascular function, body composition, metabolic biomarkers, and gut microbiome characteristics. The results may contribute to understanding whether the amount of regular high-intensity exercise is related to biological ageing and other physiological adaptations in 50\< years old adults.
Hungarian University of Sports Science is the lead sponsor of 6 studies on the registry; none are open to participants now.
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A condition in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease.
Immunotherapy studies often leave out active autoimmune disease, and some name exceptions, such as thyroid disease on replacement hormone. Check the exceptions this study lists.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Autoimmune disease
A condition in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease.
Immunotherapy studies often leave out active autoimmune disease, and some name exceptions, such as thyroid disease on replacement hormone. Check the exceptions this study lists.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Individuals over 50 years of age will undergo regular exercise training three times per week for 40-45 minutes using a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) modality for a period of 6 months. Following health screening and a 2-3-week habituation period, exercise intensity will be monitored and prescribed using a chest-strap heart rate monitoring system. Before and after the intervention, blood samples will be collected, and physiological and functional assessments will be conducted.
Other: Exercise - Relative High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
Participants completed supervised high-intensity interval training (HIIT) 3 times weekly for 6 months. Exercise intensity was prescribed relative to estimated maximal heart rate (HRmax; Tanaka formula) and was monitored continuously using Polar H10 heart-rate sensors. Sessions included a progressive warm-up, repeated 2-minute high-intensity intervals performed above 80% of HRmax, and 2-minute active recovery periods. Perceived exertion was also monitored using the Borg 0-10 RPE scale, with an upper target of 8. The protocol progressively increased training load: sessions 1-25 included five high-intensity intervals, sessions 26-45 six intervals, and sessions 46 onward seven intervals. Session duration increased from 34 to 38 minutes in the final phase.
Epigenetic Age Accelration
Whole blood samples were collected and analyzed using the Illumina EPIC BeadChip assay to quantify DNA methylation at specific CpG sites. DNA methylation-based biological age estimators, including DNAmFitAge, DNAmPhenoAge, and DNAmGrimAge, were calculated from the methylation data. Age acceleration values were expressed in years, and changes in these measures were correlated with changes in other primary and secondary outcome measures.
Time frame: Whole blood was collected within 2 weeks before the first exercise session as the baseline measurement. The second blood sample was collected at least 48 hours, but no more than 5 days, after the final exercise session.
Relative aerobic capaity spiroergometry: VO2 max measurement
Relative aerobic capacity was evaluated using cardiopulmonary exercise testing (spiroergometry) and expressed as ml/kg/min
Time frame: Spiriergomerty was conducted within 2 weeks before the first exercise session as the baseline measurement and after at least 48 hours, but no more than 14 days, after the final exercise session.
Relative aerobic capacity esimation: Chester step test
The Chester Step Test was conducted to estimate changes in VO₂max during the 6-month intervention period. Heart rate responses recorded during each assessment were used to estimate relative aerobic capacity, expressed as mL/kg/min.
Time frame: The Chester Step Test was performed at the first exercise session, which served as the baseline assessment, and was repeated monthly thereafter to monitor changes in aerobic capacity throughout the intervention period.
Exercise Volume: MET-hours
Exercise volume was calculated based on estimated VO₂max, average and resting heart rate during exercise, and exercise duration. Exercise volume was expressed as MET-hours.
Time frame: Heart rate values and exercise duration were recorded during each exercise session throughout the 6-month intervention period.
Total body muscular power
Total body muscular strength was measured using a handheld dynamometer, and grip force was expressed in kilograms (kg).
Time frame: Grip strength was measured within 2 weeks before the first exercise session as the baseline measurement. The second measurement was collected at least 48 hours, but no more than 14 days, after the final exercise session.
Echocardiographic measurements
Echocardiographic measurements included assessments of cardiac morphology and structure, as well as parameters of cardiac function. These measurements were used to characterize structural and functional cardiac adaptations and to evaluate changes in cardiovascular function over the course of the intervention.
Time frame: Echocardiographic data was collected within 2 weeks before the first exercise session as the baseline measurement. The second second measurement was conducted at least 48 hours, but no more than 5 days, after the final exercise session.
Blood chemistry: LDL
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was measured from venous blood reum samples as a marker of lipid metabolism and cardiovascular risk. LDL-C concentration was expressed in mmol/L.
Time frame: Blood was collected within 2 weeks before the first exercise session as the baseline measurement. The second blood sample was collected at least 48 hours, but no more than 5 days, after the final exercise session.
Blood chemistry: HDL
High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) was measured from venous blood samples as a marker of lipid metabolism and cardiovascular health. HDL-C concentration was expressed in mmol/L.
Time frame: Blood was collected within 2 weeks before the first exercise session as the baseline measurement. The second blood sample was collected at least 48 hours, but no more than 5 days, after the final exercise session.
Blood chemistry: Fastung glucose
Fasting blood glucose was measured from venous blood samples following an overnight fast as a marker of glucose metabolism. Glucose concentration was expressed in mmol/L.
Time frame: Blood was collected within 2 weeks before the first exercise session as the baseline measurement. The second blood sample was collected at least 48 hours, but no more than 5 days, after the final exercise session.
Fecal microbial status
Gut microbiome composition and functional characteristics were assessed from fecal samples using shotgun metagenomic sequencing before and after the intervention. Microbiome composition was characterized at the species level, with individual taxa expressed as relative abundance.
Time frame: Fecal samples were collected within 2 weeks before the first exercise session as the baseline measurement. The second fecal sample was collected at least 48 hours, but no more than 2 weeks, after the final exercise session.
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Ran from May 2022 to primary completion in May 2024, 24 months.
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Hungarian University of Sports Science