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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07720713

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

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Parkinson Basal Ganglia Diseases Behavior Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Motor Activity Movement Disorders Nervous System Diseases Neurodegenerative Diseases Parkinson Disease Parkinsonian Disorders Synucleinopathies

Age range

50 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

UT Southwestern Medical Center

Dallas, Texas, 75235, United States

About this study

This is a repeated measures study with a total of 20 participants (15 individuals with varying PD severity and 5 age matched controls). Strength, functional ability, and metabolic properties (MRS) of the GM will be measured on participants before and after a 4 week progressive strengthening program for the GM. The program is designed to utilize high volume exercise to account for unique properties of the GM (2 sets of heel raises to fatigue, 3 times a week). Loading will be individualized and progressed based on participant strength. There will be contact for accountability/direction on exercise progression. Demographic data including sex, age, medications, and years since disease onset will be collected.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 50-80 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

Exclusion criteria

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

Treatment and study plan

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.

Primary outcomes

  1. Muscle metabolic properties (P-31 MRS)

    Time frame: Day 1 (baseline) and 4 weeks (post exercise program)

    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.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Gastrocnemius strength

    Time frame: Day 1 (baseline) and 4 weeks (post exercise program)

    Clinical measure of gastrocnemius strength, tested unilaterally, using the Calf -Raise Senior Test with a stadiometer for objective heel raise strength.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Assessment of Muscle Metabolism Using Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy With Clinical Strengthening in Parkinson's Disease

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2023
Study completion
2023
First posted
Jul 22, 2026
Registry last updated
Jul 22, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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