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Exercise and Bone Health in Older Veterans

This study is looking at how different types of exercise affect bone health in older veterans. We know exercise is often suggested for strong bones, but it's not always clear how it works or if it can sometimes lead to bone loss. This study will compare 10 weeks of supervised resistance exercise (like weight lifting or hopping) with 10 weeks of supervised endurance exercise (like stationary cycling). Researchers will measure specific markers in your blood, like c-telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX) and Procollagen 1 intact N-terminal propeptide (P1NP), to see how your bones respond to each type of exercise. They will also look at your physical performance. You might be able to join if you are a healthy veteran aged 60 or older, live in the Denver area, and are normally active. The study is currently unclear on its recruitment status and plans to enroll 120 participants.

Study design
This is an interventional study where participants will be randomly assigned to one of two exercise groups. It aims to enroll 120 participants.
What's involved
You would participate in 30 supervised exercise sessions over 10 weeks, three times a week for one hour each session. Blood tests will be taken before and after exercise sessions, and your physical performance will be assessed at the beginning and end of the 10 weeks.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your bone markers will be measured up to 48 hours after each exercise session, and your physical performance will be assessed at the end of the 10-week intervention.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05266976

Mode of Exercise and Bone Biomarkers in Older Veterans

Recruiting
NAAges 60+InterventionalPrevention
VA Office of Research and Development
~120 participants
Updated 2026-05-22 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:10 Weeks of Supervised Resistance Exercise Training10 Weeks of Supervised Endurance Exercise Training

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
c-telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX) change
Measured over Before exercise to up to 48 hours after each exercise bout
+3 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Aging
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Osteoporosis

Explore related trials

AgingMusculoskeletal DisorderOsteoporosis

NCT05266976

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, CO

    Aurora, Coloradostudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Study leadership

  • Sarah J Wherry, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center, Aurora, CO

Who to contact

Sarah J Wherry, PhD
[email protected]
(720) 848-6475
Email the study team

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Healthy older (60+ y) Veteran women and men in the Denver Metro Area
Normally active (e.g., recreational cycling or walking exercise)

Exclusion

Impaired renal function, defined as an eGRF of \<60 mL/min/1.73m2
Hepatobiliary disease, defined as liver function tests (AST, ALT) \>1.5 times the upper limit of normal
Thyroid dysfunction, defined as an ultrasensitive thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) \<0.5 or \>5.0 mU/L
Serum Ca \<8.5 or \>10.3 mg/dL
Serum 25(OH)D \<20 ng/mL
Uncontrolled hypertension, defined as resting systolic blood pressure (BP) \>150 mmHg or diastolic BP \>90 mmHg;
History of type 1 or type 2 diabetes
Cardiovascular disease, defined as subjective or objective indicators of ischemic heart disease (e.g., angina, ST segment depression) or serious arrhythmias at rest or during the graded exercise test (GXT). Volunteers who have a positive GXT can be re-considered after follow-up evaluation, which must include diagnostic testing (e.g., stress echocardiogram or thallium stress test) with interpretation by a cardiologist
Anemia, defined as a serum hemoglobin \<12.1 g/dL for women and \<14.3 g/dL for men
Fracture in the past 6 months
Current diagnosis or symptoms of COVID-19

What this trial measures

  • c-telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX) changeBefore exercise to up to 48 hours after each exercise bout

    CTX is a marker of bone resorption. Reference range is 0.1-0.8 ng/mL with lower concentrations suggesting less bone resorption

  • Procollagen 1 intact N-terminal propeptide (P1NP)The primary outcome for Specific Aim 2 is the change in pre-exercise P1NP from the 1st to the 3rd exercise test (approximately 10 weeks apart).

    PINP is a blood marker of bone formation. Reference range is 19-80 ng/mL with lower concentrations suggesting less bone formation.

  • Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)Change in Short Physical Performance Battery score from the beginning to the end of the 10 week exercise intervention.

    The Short Physical Performance Battery will be performed at the beginning and the end of the intervention to assess physical function. Scores range from 0 to 12. Higher scores generally indicate better physical function.

  • 6-minute walk testChange in the distance covered in the 6-minute walk test from the beginning to the end of the10 week exercise intervention.

    The 6-minute walk test will be performed at the beginning and the end of the intervention to assess physical function and fitness. Greater distances covered during the 6 minute walk test generally represent greater function and fitness.