Illustrative estimate only - not verified by this sponsor. Contact the study team for actual compensation.
This project is a 2-phase, randomized clinical trial that includes 7 days of unilateral leg disuse (Phase 1), immediately followed by 1 week of bilateral leg rehabilitation (Phase 2). The investigators will recruit cohorts of healthy middle-aged men and women to address their aims: * Demonstrate the sex-specific effects of skeletal muscle disuse (Phase 1) * Identify key molecular determinates of susceptibility of skeletal muscle atrophy (Phase 1) * Map the early, sex-specific molecular time-course of rehabilitation (Phase 2) * Determine if disused and healthy muscle respond similarly to exercise (Phase 2) Healthy, middle-age men and post-menopausal women (50-65 years) will be recruited from the greater Houston/Galveston area. This under-represented research demographic demonstrate few negative metabolic or phenotypic signs of advanced age, but are at increased risk of being hospitalized and experiencing accelerated loss of lean mass and muscle function that parallels a much older population. The goal of this study is to characterize phenotypic and molecular skeletal muscle changes in middle-aged men and women during critical periods of disuse and rehabilitation and ultimately direct the development of targeted and effective prevention and treatment strategies.
What happens when you apply
Reach out via phone or email to express interest
Brief call to discuss your health history
Medical screening at the research site
Begin your journey in the study
Inclusion Criteria: 1. All races and ethnic backgrounds 2. Men and women, age 50-65 years 3. Generally healthy (see exclusion criteria) 4. Able and willing to provide informed consent 5. Ability to speak and read English 6. Post-menopausal women (no menses within the last 12 months) 7. Body mass index: 18.5-35 kg/m2 or BMI\>35 if thigh adiposity does not impair muscle biopsy Exclusion Criteria: 1. Compromised musculoskeletal function that precludes safe participation or use of crutches 2. Pre-menopausal women 3. Hypogonadal men (testosterone \<300 ng/dL) 4. Women taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) 5. Sarcopenia (European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People, EWGSOP102) 6. Clinically significant heart disease (e.g. New York Heart Classification greater than grade II; ischemia) 7. Peripheral vascular disease 8. History of claudication 9. Pulmonary disease 10. History of systemic or pulmonary embolus 11. Uncontrolled blood pressure (systolic BP\>170, diastolic BP\>95 mmHg) 12. Impaired renal function (creatinine \>1.5 mg/dl) 13. Anemia (hematocrit \<33) 14. Untreated thyroid disease (abnormal TSH) 15. A recent history (\<12 months) of GI bleed 16. Diabetes mellitus or other untreated endocrine or metabolic disease 17. Electrolyte abnormalities 18. Any history of stroke, hypo- or hyper-coagulation disorders 19. Employment requiring long (\>1 h) uninterrupted period of standing 20. Inability to meet study travel requirements (e.g. manual geared car) 21. Recent history of balance issues or falls. 22. Recent (3 years) treated cancer other than basal cell carcinoma 23. Systemic steroids, anabolic steroids, growth hormone or immunosuppressant use within 12 months 24. Recent (2 months) adherence to a weight-loss or weight-gain diet 25. Weight change of 5% or more in previous 6 months 26. Body mass index \>30 or excess body fat that compromises muscle biopsy collection 27. Acute infectious disease or chronic infection 28. Alcohol or drug abuse 29. Any other condition or event considered exclusionary by study physician
imaguineapig pulls live data from ClinicalTrials.gov (NIH/NLM).Illustrative estimate only - not verifiedPay estimates are approximate ranges based on study type and are not confirmed by sponsors — actual compensation may differ. Eligibility indicators use limited criteria (age, sex) only. We do not provide medical advice. Always contact the study team directly to confirm compensation, full eligibility, and risks before enrolling.