Changes in Energy Expenditure in Response to Physical Activity in Healthy Adults

NCT07529132 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: APK.002.256.2025
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 20
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study investigates how short, high-intensity body-weight exercises affect energy use in healthy young adults. The focus is on resting metabolic rate (RMR), total energy expenditure (TEE) and excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), measured with a portable indirect calorimetry system (COSMED K5). Participants will be 14 volunteers, seven women and seven men aged 18 to 30 years, recruited from the academic community of the Medical University of Białystok. Each subject will first undergo basic screening, including ECG, blood pressure, and body composition. Measurements will be taken in three phases. In the resting phase, RMR will be recorded after fifteen minutes of quiet sitting. In the exercise phase, participants will perform squats, burpees, or a plank for one minute at maximum effort or sustained position while energy use is continuously monitored. In the recovery phase, EPOC will be measured immediately after exercise to capture short-term changes. Oxygen uptake, ventilation, heart rate, and oxygen saturation will be tracked throughout the session. Environmental conditions such as room temperature and humidity will be standardized, and participants will avoid caffeine, alcohol, and heavy physical activity at least 24 hours before testing. The main aim is to determine whether even one minute of exercise can meaningfully alter EPOC steady state parameters, and to compare the energy cost of different exercise types. The data will be analyzed in relation to anthropometric variables and cardiopulmonary function. Results are expected to improve understanding of short-term energy dynamics and may support more precise recommendations in pulmonary rehabilitation, cardiology, sports medicine, and nutrition. By providing reliable measurements of caloric cost in simple exercises, the study can help design safer and more effective training, rehabilitation, and weight control programs.

Conditions

Physical Activities

Keywords

indirect calorimetry, energy expenditure, exercise physiology, pulmonary rehabilitation, body-weight training; resting metabolic rate; excess post-exercise oxygen consumption; plank; squats; burpees

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Differences Between Pre- and Post-exercise Energy Expenditure Measurement

  Resting metabolic rate (RMR) will be measured in kcal/min using the COSMED K5 portable indirect calorimetry system. Each participant will undergo a baseline measurement after 15 minutes of seated rest. Immediately following one minute of physical activity (squats, burpees, or plank) with continuous measurement of energy expenditure, then during restitution EPOC will be measured (in lO₂ or kcal) until values stabilize. The primary outcome is the difference between post-exercise energy expenditure and baseline, reflecting the acute impact of short-duration, high-intensity activity on energy metabolism in healthy young adults.

  Baseline and immediately post-exercise (within 10-15 minutes).

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Total Energy Expenditure (TEE) During Exercise

  From the beginning to the end of performing the exercise (1 minute).

Interventions

physical activity DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Participants perform short, body-weight exercises including squats, burpees, or plank while wearing a portable indirect calorimetry system (COSMED K5). Each activity lasts one minute and is carried out at maximum effort or sustained position. Energy expenditure, oxygen consumption, ventilation, and vital signs are continuously recorded during and immediately after the activity. Measurements are compared with resting metabolic rate obtained before and excess post-exercise oxygen consumption obtained after exercise to assess the acute impact of physical activity on energy use in healthy young adults.

Also known as: body-weight exercise, squats, burpees, plank

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Healthy volunteers aged 18 to 30 years will be recruited from the academic community of the Medical University of Białystok, primarily students affiliated with the Student Research Group at the II Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Lung Cancer and Internal Medicine. Participants must be free of chronic diseases, musculoskeletal injuries, and active infections, and must meet standard medical screening criteria before enrollment.

You may qualify if:

• Age 18-30 years
• Healthy volunteers without chronic diseases
• Normal resting ECG (regular sinus rhythm, 60-90 bpm)
• Normal blood pressure according to ESC guidelines
• Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Chronic diseases or musculoskeletal injury within the past 6 months
• Use of tobacco or nicotine products within the past 6 months
• Blood donation \>20 mL (except diagnostic) within the past 6 months
• Use of narcotics, sedatives, or dietary supplements (e.g., creatine) within the past 2 weeks
• Active infection, fever, or acute illness at the time of study
• Inability to comply with study instructions (dietary restrictions, abstinence from alcohol/caffeine, exercise restrictions)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Medical University of Bialystok: lead
• University Teaching Hospital, Bialystok: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

II Departemnt of Lung Diseases, Lung Cancer, and Internal Medicine

Bialystok, Podlaskie Voivodeship, 15-540, Poland

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity

Interventions

Exercise

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Central Study Contacts

Lukasz Minarowski, MD PhD

CONTACT

+48858316383; lukasz.minarowski@umb.edu.pl

Izabela Majewska

CONTACT

+48882115836; 39903@student.umb.edu.pl

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 7, 2026
• First Posted: April 14, 2026
• Study Start: September 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Last Updated: April 14, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-06

Locations

PL (1)