Mitochondrial DNA Signatures of Poor Aerobic Exercise Trainability in Young Adults Born Preterm

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Preterm Birth

In brief

Young adults born very preterm (32 weeks gestation or earlier) do not respond well to aerobic exercise training, meeting the recommendations set by the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, where they do not increase their fitness level (or cardiorespiratory fitness). Thus, they do not receive the health benefits of exercise. Achieving physical fitness through aerobic exercise training is the most cost-effective method for preventing and treating many diseases. Young adults born very preterm also have a higher risk of these conditions. Thus, their inability to respond to increase their fitness is a major problem. One likely explanation for poor exercise trainability and increased heart disease risk in young adults born very preterm is the effect of the early birth on the major energy producers in all our cells: Mitochondria. During late-stage gestation, mitochondria change from relying on sugar as a major fuel source to fat. Unfortunately, individuals born very preterm miss this transition in fuel source reliance, which causes significant stress and damage to mitochondria. Mitochondria are critical for post-natal organ development; thus, it is thought that preterm birth-induced mitochondrial dysfunction is the underlying cause of poor trainability and high disease risk in young adults born very preterm. Indeed, mitochondrial dysfunction is evident in these individuals. To date, there is not a way to help young adults born preterm improve their fitness level. One likely target is in the mitochondria: it's DNA. Mitochondrial DNA helps determine how mitochondria function and can be damaged under stress. Our goal in this proposed work is to determine the role of mitochondrial DNA in mitochondrial dysfunction and its link to their poor trainability. Questions: 1. Are there mitochondrial DNA markers linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and poor exercise trainability in young adults very born preterm? 2. Do mitochondrial DNA in young adults born very preterm respond differently to aerobic exercise training than those born at term? The investigators expect this work will show mitochondrial DNA changes linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and poor trainability, which can be used for future targets to improve health. This work supports AHA mission by helping to identify a marker in individuals born very preterm linked to their higher heart disease risk and death early in life.

Key facts

Study ID: NCT06334107
Run by: Texas Tech University
People needed: 60
Starts: 2024-05-01
Expected to finish: 2026-12-31
Last updated by the study team: 2025-12-18

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 35. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

Preterm born (PTB)young adult group: Participants must be inactive (reported exercise \< 150 mins/week; See IPAQ Attachment), males and females aged 18-35 years born preterm with a gestational age \<37 weeks.
Normal term-born (NTB) young adult control group: Participants must be inactive (reported exercise \< 150 mins/week) and will be age- and sex-matched and born at term (37 gestational age).
The biological mother of PTB participants: The PTB biological birth mother must be the one who gave birth to the participant and the one from whom the child inherited half of its genetic background (i.e., DNA).
PTB and NTB young adults must pass the PAR-Q+ Questionnaire assessment, indicating readiness to begin a moderate-intensity exercise training program. We will follow the American College of Sports Medicine\'s aerobic exercise training program participation guidelines. Subjects who are cleared via the PAR-Q+ assessment will be permitted to participate in the training program.

You may not qualify if…

PTB and NTB young adults only: Having a diagnosed bronchopulmonary hyperplasia, cardiovascular (cardiac or peripheral arterial disease), metabolic (Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 or 2), or renal or liver disease, and signs or symptoms of these conditions, including pain: discomfort in the chest, neck, jaw, arms, or other areas that may result from ischemia; shortness of breath at rest or with mild exertion; dizziness or syncope; orthopnea or paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea; ankle edema; palpitations or tachycardia; intermittent claudication; known heart murmur; unusual fatigue or shortness of breath with usual activity.

Where it is running

Texas Tech University | Kinesiology and Sport Management Building — Lubbock, Texas, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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