Human Skeletal Muscle Response to 5 Days of Bedrest in Young Adults
Changes in Muscle Mass, Strength, and Muscle Protein Synthesis in Response to 5 Days of Bedrest in Young, Healthy Adults
Queen's University
12 participants
Sep 1, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The goal of this intervention trial is to characterize skeletal muscle atrophy in healthy, young adults during short term bedrest. The main questions it aims to answer are: How much do skeletal muscle volume, strength, and fatigue resistance decline during bedrest? How much does whole-body insulin sensitivity change during bedrest? How do mitochondrial function and protein synthesis change during bedrest? Participants will undergo the following tests before and after a free-living control period and before and after a 5 day period of strict horizontal bedrest: * Magnetic resonance imaging of the thigh muscles * Strength testing of the thigh muscles * Insulin sensitivity testing in response to a mixed meal * Exogenous glucose oxidation in response to a mixed meal * Muscle biopsies from the thigh muscles * Blood samples
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria5
- Males and females 18-30 years
- BMI between 18.5-28 kg/m2
- Weight stable (within ±2kg for 6 months)
- Generally healthy as assessed by medical and physical activity questionnaires
- recreationally active
Exclusion Criteria11
- a BMI \< 18.5 and \> 28 kg/m2
- the use of insulin to control blood glucose levels
- a history of any cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic diseases, neuromuscular or bone-wasting diseases
- the use of any medication that may affect muscle protein turnover (e.g. androgen or anabolic hormone therapy, chemotherapy)
- a (family) history of thrombosis, platelet or coagulation disorders, or antiplatelet therapy and the use of anticoagulant medications
- the presence of any unremoved, or partially removed metals underneath the skin
- a history of head or eye injury involving metal fragments
- have some type of implanted electrical device (such as a cardiac pacemaker or neurostimulator)
- have implanted metal objects as a result of surgery, such as artificial joints, aneurysm clips, metal staples
- are, or may be, pregnant
- are wearing metal braces on their teeth.
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Interventions
5 days of strict bedrest. Participants are allowed to sit up in bed, but will perform any bathing or bathroom activities in a wheelchair.
Locations(1)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
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NCT07178353