Multilevel Exercise Response in Rowers

NCT07613619 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: Rowers 2026
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 30
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This observational study aims to evaluate multilevel physiological, molecular, metabolic, intestinal, immunological, and psychophysiological responses to rowing-specific exercise in elite rowers. The study is designed to investigate how maximal and prolonged rowing ergometer exercise influences integrated adaptive mechanisms related to mitochondrial function, metabolic regulation, intestinal permeability, immune activation, DNA damage response, and psychological status. Thirty members of the Polish Youth National Rowing Team, aged 19-24 years, will participate in the study during two different training periods. During the competitive phase, participants will perform a 2000-m maximal rowing ergometer test, whereas during the preparatory phase they will complete a 6000-m rowing ergometer test. Blood samples and physiological measurements will be collected before exercise, immediately after exercise, and after 1 hour of recovery. The study will assess gene expression, circulating biomarkers, flow cytometry parameters, blood morphology, lactate concentration, continuous glucose monitoring data, wearable metabolic sensor measurements, nutritional status, and psychological responses. The primary objective is to identify integrated biomarkers reflecting exercise load, recovery dynamics, and adaptive capacity in highly trained athletes. The study also aims to improve understanding of the interaction between metabolic, mitochondrial, intestinal, immunological, and psychophysiological responses to intensive exercise in rowing.

Conditions

Healthy Adult Participants

Keywords

Rowing; Exercise physiology; Mitochondrial function; Intestinal permeability; DNA damage response; Psychophysiology; Elite athletes

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (38)

• Changes from baseline in PPARGC1A (PGC-1α) gene expression

  Marker of mitochondrial biogenesis and metabolic adaptation to exercise.

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery.

• Changes from baseline in TFAM gene expression.

  Marker of mitochondrial DNA maintenance and transcription.

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery.

• Changes from baseline in PRKAA1 (AMPKα1) gene expression.

  Marker of cellular energy sensing and metabolic stress response

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery.

• Changes from baseline in SOD2 gene expression.

  Marker of mitochondrial antioxidant defense.

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery.

• Change from baseline in serum growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) concentration

  Marker of mitochondrial and metabolic stress

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery.

• Change from baseline in serum apelin concentration

  Exercise-related myokine associated with metabolic regulation.

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery.

• Change from baseline in serum heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) concentration

  Marker of cellular stress response

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery.

• Change from baseline in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentration

  Marker of neuroplasticity and exercise-related neuroregulation.

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery.

• Change from baseline in serum myonectin (CTRP15) concentration

  Marker of lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis.

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery.

• Change from baseline in serum insulin concentration

  Marker of glucose regulation and metabolic adaptation.

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery.

• Change from baseline in serum glucagon concentration

  Marker of hepatic glucose production and gluconeogenesis.

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery.

• Change from baseline in serum fetuin-A concentration

  Marker of insulin sensitivity and hepatic metabolic response.

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery.

• Change from baseline in serum fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) concentration

  Marker of metabolic adaptation and energy homeostasis

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery.

• Change from baseline in serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration

  Exercise-induced myokine involved in muscle-liver signaling.

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Change from baseline in serum myoglobin concentration

  Marker of muscle stress and exercise-induced muscle response.

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Changes from baseline in STAT3 gene expression.

  Marker of IL-6 signaling pathway activation

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Changes from baseline in SOCS3 gene expression.

  Marker of negative feedback regulation of inflammatory signaling.

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery.

• Changes from baseline in PCK1 gene expression.

  Marker of gluconeogenesis regulation.

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Changes from baseline in SLC2A4 (GLUT4) gene expression.

  Marker of skeletal muscle glucose transport

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Change from baseline in plasma lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concentration

  Marker of exercise-induced endotoxemia.

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Change from baseline in serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) concentration

  Marker of endotoxin transport and immune activation.

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery.

• Change from baseline in serum soluble CD14 (sCD14) concentration

  Marker of monocyte activation and endotoxin recognition

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, and after 1 hour of recovery.

• Change from baseline in serum soluble toll-like receptor 4 (sTLR4) concentration

  Marker of innate immune receptor activation.

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Change from baseline in serum soluble toll-like receptor 2 (sTLR2) concentration

  Marker of innate immune response to bacterial components.

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Changes from baseline in TLR4 gene expression.

  Marker of endotoxin-induced inflammatory signaling

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Changes from baseline in TLR2 gene expression.

  Marker of innate immune activation.

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Changes from baseline in TLR4-positive monocyte expression.

  Marker of monocyte receptor sensitivity to endotoxins.

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Changes from baseline in TLR2-positive monocyte expression

  Marker of innate immune receptor activation on monocytes.

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Change from baseline in serum 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) concentration

  Marker of oxidative DNA damage.

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Change from baseline in serum nucleosome concentration

  Marker of chromatin fragmentation and cellular stress.

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Change from baseline in serum high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) concentration

  Marker of cellular stress and inflammatory signaling.

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Change from baseline in number of apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites

  Marker of DNA strand damage and base excision repair activity.

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Change from baseline in APE1/APEX1 protein concentration

  Marker of DNA repair pathway activation.

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Change from baseline in poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) concentration

  Marker of PARP activation and DNA repair response

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Changes from baseline in CDKN1A (p21) gene expression.

  Marker of cell cycle arrest and DNA damage response.

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Changes from baseline in GADD45A gene expression.

  Marker of genomic stress response.

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Changes from baseline in APEX1 gene expression.

  Marker of DNA base excision repair regulation

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Changes from baseline in PARP1 gene expression.

  Marker of DNA damage sensing and repair signaling.

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

Secondary Outcomes (19)

• Changes from baseline in blood lactate concentration.

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Changes from baseline in hemoglobin concentration

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Changes from baseline in hematocrit value

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Changes from baseline in red blood cell count

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

• Changes from baseline in mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)

  At rest (before the exercise test), immediately after the end of the test, after 1 hour of recovery.

Study Arms (2)

Elite male rowers

Male elite rowers aged 19-24 years performing standardized 2000-m and 6000-m rowing ergometer tests during two training phases. Exercise-related biological and psychophysiological responses will be assessed before exercise, immediately after exercise, and after 1 hour of recovery.

Other: 2000-m rowing ergometer test; Other: 6000-m rowing ergometer test

Elite female rowers

Female elite rowers aged 19-24 years performing standardized 2000-m and 6000-m rowing ergometer tests during two training phases. Exercise-related biological and psychophysiological responses will be assessed before exercise, immediately after exercise, and after 1 hour of recovery.

Other: 2000-m rowing ergometer test; Other: 6000-m rowing ergometer test

Interventions

2000-m rowing ergometer test OTHER

A standardized maximal rowing ergometer exercise test performed over a distance of 2000 meters during the competitive phase of the training season to evaluate acute physiological and molecular responses to high-intensity exercise.

Elite female rowers; Elite male rowers

6000-m rowing ergometer test OTHER

A standardized prolonged rowing ergometer exercise test performed over a distance of 6000 meters during the preparatory phase of the training season to evaluate physiological and molecular responses to prolonged submaximal exercise.

Elite female rowers; Elite male rowers

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 19 Years - 24 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population will consist of male and female competitive rowers aged 19-24 years who are members of the Polish Youth National Rowing Team. Participants will be recruited from athletes engaged in regular high-performance rowing training and who participate in standardized rowing ergometer testing as part of routine performance monitoring across different phases of the training season. All participants will be medically cleared for maximal exercise testing and will represent elite-level endurance athletes.

You may qualify if:

• Male and female members of the Polish Youth National Rowing Team.
• Age between 19 and 24 years.
• Regular participation in structured rowing training.
• Medical clearance for participation in maximal exercise testing.
• Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Lack of consent for blood sampling or study participation.
• Current injury or health condition contraindicating maximal exercise.
• Acute infection, fever, or inflammatory condition at the time of testing.
• Use of anti-inflammatory medications.
• Use of performance-enhancing substances.
• Use of dietary supplements within 3 months before study participation.
• Any medical contraindications identified by the study physician.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Poznan University of Physical Education: lead

Biospecimen

Retention: SAMPLES WITH DNA

Venous blood samples (serum, plasma, whole blood) collected for biochemical, immunological, molecular, and gene expression analyses, including RT-qPCR-based assessment of exercise-related biomarkers.

Study Officials

• Anna Skarpańska-Stejborn, Professor

  Poznan University of Physical Education, Gorzów Wielkopolski; Faculty of Sport Sciences in Gorzów Wielkopolski; Department of Biological Sciences,

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Joanna Ostapiuk-Karolczuk, PhD

CONTACT

+48573337282; j.ostapiuk@awf-gorzow.edu.pl

Anna Kasperska, PhD

CONTACT

+48573337282; annakasperska.awf@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Target Duration: 6 Months
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 15, 2026
• First Posted: May 29, 2026
• Study Start: May 17, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 30, 2027
• Last Updated: May 29, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05