Impact of Exercise on Muscle Metabolism and Function for Persons With Parkinsons

NCT07720713 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: STU-2021-0322
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 19
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This investigation assesses the impact of a strengthening program on muscle metabolism in the gastrocnemius muscle (GM) and is an essential step in the establishment of future clinical intervention for the GM in people with Parkinson's disease (with healthy peers as the control group). The participants will be provided with a progressive GM strengthening program while monitoring muscle metabolism and functional changes before and after intervention.

Conditions

Parkinson

Keywords

Exercise; Parkinson's; Muscle metabolism; strengthening

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Muscle metabolic properties (P-31 MRS)

  A non-invasive measure of metabolites and their dynamics in resting and activated human muscles to explores how well muscle handles its ATP energy demands.

  Day 1 (baseline) and 4 weeks (post exercise program)

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Gastrocnemius strength

  Day 1 (baseline) and 4 weeks (post exercise program)

Study Arms (1)

Home exercise program

EXPERIMENTAL

Home exercise program for gastrocnemius strengthening

Other: Home Exercise Program

Interventions

Home Exercise Program OTHER

All participants completed a four-week, home-based progressive strengthening program targeting GM using high-volume bodyweight exercise. Participants were instructed to perform exercises three times per week, with at least one day of rest between exercise sessions. During weeks 1 and 2, participants performed two sets of heel raises to fatigue at their prescribed level, corresponding to a subjective effort rating of 8/10. The goal was to progress toward completing 20 repetitions per set. Exercise loading was individualized based on baseline performance and adjusted throughout the intervention according to each participant's demonstrated strength progression.

Home exercise program

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 50 Years - 80 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• years of age, males and females, individuals with and without PD
• Hoehn and Yahr stages 1- 4 (if diagnosed with PD)
• Bilateral Heal Raise - minimum of 10 repetitions

You may not qualify if:

• Unable to walk for \>5 minutes at a time with or without an assistive device
• Any comorbidity limiting exercise

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center: lead

Study Sites (1)

UT Southwestern Medical Center

Dallas, Texas, 75235, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity; Parkinson Disease

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior; Parkinsonian Disorders; Basal Ganglia Diseases; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Movement Disorders; Synucleinopathies; Neurodegenerative Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Model Details: Everyone will do the same exercise program

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 30, 2026
• First Posted: July 22, 2026
• Study Start: April 27, 2022
• Primary Completion: June 30, 2023
• Study Completion: June 30, 2023
• Last Updated: July 22, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Locations

US (1)