Fasted vs. Fed State Exercise

Recruiting now · Phase 2

Conditions studied: Obesity, Exercise, Weight Loss

In brief

Although many medications exist for both heart disease and obesity, cost, lack of access for all people, side effects and the desire for a more natural solution have left many people seeking lifestyle treatments such as exercise. Scientists know that exercise is highly beneficial for heart health. When exercise also produces weight loss, these benefits are much improved. Although using exercise to treat or prevent heart disease / obesity is recommended, not all people respond well. Some see significant weight loss and health improvements while others see little changes. For these reasons, new strategies surrounding the use and design of an exercise program are needed. One such strategy could be performing aerobic exercise before breakfast (fasted exercise). When exercising fasted, food/energy stores are low, and one relies on stored body fat for energy. This may help heart health and weight loss. This has never been tested in a program long enough to see such changes. This study will, for the first time, assess the effects of a 16-week aerobic exercise program performed fasted compared to after eating. Outcomes will include blood fats, blood pressure, fat-burning abilities and weight loss. Starting an exercise program can also make people to eat more. This limits the success of exercise. The study will also evaluate ways fasted exercise could change eating, as it possible that fasted exercise could also cause people to eat more, which would limit weight loss and health improvements.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07487090

Run by

Arkansas Colleges of Health Education

People needed

40

Starts

2026-01-05

Expected to finish

2027-12-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-03-23

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 59. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Aged 18-59
• BMI 25-45
• Healthy enough to exercise

You may not qualify if…

• Taking medications or supplements that are known to influence energy expenditure,
• Currently exercising more than once per week
• Currently dieting for weight loss
• Currently taking weight loss drugs
• Have had a previous weight loss surgery
• Currently diagnosed with Diabetes
• Currently diagnosed with heart disease (Heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled hypercholesterolemia, Coronary heart disease)

Where it is running

• Arkansas Colleges of Health Education Research Institure Health and Wellness Center — Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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