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Mitochondrial DNA and Exercise in Young Adults Born Preterm

This study is looking at why some young adults born prematurely (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) don't get fitter from exercise, even when they follow recommended guidelines. We know that young adults born very prematurely (32 weeks or earlier) often don't improve their fitness (maximal aerobic capacity) after exercise training. This study will have participants follow a moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program 4-5 days a week for 40-60 minutes per session. Researchers will measure changes in their mitochondrial DNA (the genetic material inside the energy-producing parts of cells) and their maximal aerobic capacity before and after the exercise program. The goal is to understand if specific mitochondrial DNA patterns are linked to how well someone responds to exercise. You can join if you are 18-35 years old, were born prematurely, and are currently inactive. There is also a control group of inactive young adults born at full term.

Study design
This is an interventional study with 60 participants. It includes young adults born prematurely and a control group born at full term.
What's involved
Participants will follow a moderate-intensity aerobic exercise training program for 4-5 days per week, for 40-60 minutes each session. Measurements will be taken immediately after the exercise training intervention and at an initial visit.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Mitochondrial DNA and aerobic capacity will be measured immediately after the aerobic exercise training intervention.

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NCT06334107

Mitochondrial DNA Signatures of Poor Aerobic Exercise Trainability in Young Adults Born Preterm

Recruiting
NAAges 18–35InterventionalBasic science
Texas Tech University
~60 participants
Updated 2025-12-18 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Exercise

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Mitochondrial DNA heteroplasmy
Measured over Immediately after aerobic exercise training intervention; change in pre- to post-frequency
+3 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Preterm Birth

Explore related trials

Preterm Birth

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Texas1

Who to contact

Heather L Vellers, Ph.D.
[email protected]
8068348554
Email the study team

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Preterm born (PTB)young adult group: Participants must be inactive (reported exercise \< 150 mins/week; See IPAQ Attachment), males and females aged 18-35 years born preterm with a gestational age \<37 weeks.
Normal term-born (NTB) young adult control group: Participants must be inactive (reported exercise \< 150 mins/week) and will be age- and sex-matched and born at term (37 gestational age).
The biological mother of PTB participants: The PTB biological birth mother must be the one who gave birth to the participant and the one from whom the child inherited half of its genetic background (i.e., DNA).
PTB and NTB young adults must pass the PAR-Q+ Questionnaire assessment, indicating readiness to begin a moderate-intensity exercise training program. We will follow the American College of Sports Medicine\'s aerobic exercise training program participation guidelines. Subjects who are cleared via the PAR-Q+ assessment will be permitted to participate in the training program.

What this trial measures

  • Mitochondrial DNA heteroplasmyImmediately after aerobic exercise training intervention; change in pre- to post-frequency

    The full-length mitochondrial DNA sequence will be analyzed and assessed for heteroplasmic sites in the mitochondrial genome. Briefly, mitochondrial DNA exists in many copies, and heteroplasmy is noted when the amino acid sequence changes from the major read 2% or more across the DNA copies. The change in the mean heteroplasmy frequency and the mean number of sites with heteroplasmy with aerobic exercise training by comparing these changes in young adults born preterm to those born at term.

  • Mitochondrial DNA sequence variantsImmediately after visit 1

    The full-length mitochondrial DNA sequence will be determined in participants who report being born prematurely, which will be compared to their biological birth mother. In this comparison, we will assess for variants. We deem a site as an 'informative' mitochondrial DNA variant in young adults born prematurely as a change in amino acid sequence from the biological birth mother.

  • Change in maximal aerobic capacityImmediately after aerobic exercise training intervention; change in pre- to post-frequency

    The change in maximal aerobic capacity will be assessed via the modified Balke-graded exercise test before and after the aerobic exercise training program.

  • Change in mitochondrial oxidative capacity in peripheral blood mononuclear cellsImmediately after aerobic exercise training intervention; change in pre- to post-frequency

    Mitochondrial maximal respiration (i.e., oxidative capacity) will be measured in isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells.