Understanding the Relationship of Body Composition and Metabolism in Adult and Older Filipino Endurance and Strength Athletes in the Philippines

Official title

Understanding the Relationship of Body Composition and Metabolism in Adult and Older Filipino Endurance and Strength Athletes in the Philippines (NPOWER P1)

Overview

This study aims to address the gap by investigating the correlation between body composition and metabolism in adult and older Filipino endurance and strength athletes. It seeks to offer significant insights that can guide age- and sport-specific training programs, nutritional strategies, and health interventions adapted to the requirements of Filipino athletes. The results may help enhance the wider discussion on fostering healthy aging and athletic longevity in the Philippines.

Detailed description

The general objective of the study is to conduct fundamental researches in nutrition physiology among Filipino athletes in selected sports through evaluation of their body composition, metabolism, nutritional status, aerobic capacity, and physical performance using validated assessment tools. Specifically, the study aims to:

* Compare the body composition of Filipino athletes and age- and sex-matched non-athletes using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), air displacement plethysmography (ADP), muscle ultrasound and deuterium dilution technique; * Assess and compare the metabolism via resting and activity energy expenditure, nutritional status, dietary intake, and aerobic capacity of Filipino athletes and age- and sex-matched non-athletes using indirect calorimetry techniques, anthropometric measurements, food diaries, VO₂max measurement, lactic acid threshold, and Incremental Step Test; * Determine the association of body composition, metabolism, and aerobic capacity among adults and senior citizen athletes partaking in recreational sports; and * Analyze the relationship of nutritional status and metabolism with physical performance indicators among adults and senior citizen athletes partaking in recreational sports.

Primary outcome measures

• Fat Mass in kilograms and percentage [Time frame: The expected period of the collection per participant is 3 days.]
• Fat-Free Mass in kilograms and percentage [Time frame: The expected period of the collection per participant is 3 days.]
• Resting Metabolic Rate in kilocalories per day [Time frame: The expected period of the collection per participant is 3 days.]
• Activity Energy Expenditure in kilocalories [Time frame: The expected period of the collection per participant is 3 days.]
• Aerobic Capacity in mL/kg/min [Time frame: The expected period of the collection per participant is 3 days.]
• Blood Lactate Concentration in mmol/L during exercise [Time frame: The expected period of the collection per participant is 3 days.]
• Handgrip strength in kilograms [Time frame: The expected period of the collection per participant is 3 days.]
• Leg strength in Newton-meter [Time frame: The expected period of the collection per participant is 3 days.]
• Speed of participants in kilometers per hour [Time frame: The expected period of the collection per participant is 3 days.]
• Dietary Intake in kilocalories or grams per day [Time frame: The expected period of the collection per participant is 3 days.]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria (Athletes):

• Male or female athletes aged 20-40 (early and mid-adults) and 60-69 (older adults)
• Natural-born Filipinos with maternal and paternal Filipino heritage
• Current and former national and professional athletes, actively participating in endurance or strength sports events or recreational sports events
• Current off-season athletes undergoing training or former professional athletes who played <3 years ago
• With ≥3 years of formal, structured athletic training
• Apparently healthy (no cardiovascular conditions, respiratory diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, neurological conditions and metabolic disorders)
• Ambulatory and can perform physical activity exercises such as treadmill walking/running and stationary bike
• Cleared by a physician to participate in exercise testing; for older adults, clearance must be based on electrocardiogram (ECG) results.

Inclusion Criteria (Non-Athletes):

• Age (+3 years) and sex-matched community-dwelling participants
• Natural-born Filipinos with maternal and paternal Filipino heritage
• Not involved in structured or competitive exercise training
• Apparently healthy (no cardiovascular conditions, respiratory diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, neurological conditions and metabolic disorders)
• Ambulatory and can perform physical activity exercises such as treadmill walking/running and stationary bike
• Cleared by a physician to participate in exercise testing; for older adults, clearance must be based on electrocardiogram (ECG) results.

Exclusion Criteria (Athletes and Non-Athletes):

• Unable to comprehend and answer the questions
• Presence of metal implants and/or pacemaker
• Has limited mobility and a history of orthopedic surgery (that may limit their mobility)
• With medically diagnosed severe diseases that could affect body composition or metabolism (i.e., cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, renal diseases, thyroid disorders)
• Experienced minor or major injury in the past 3 months that will inhibit the performance
• Taking prohibited sports substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Program that may influence the performance of exercise
• Taking medications that can affect metabolism (e.g., mood stabilizers, GLP-1 receptor agonists etc.)
• Current smoker or Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS; vape, e-cigarette) smoker

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: Yes

Study design

Observational model

Case-control

Study locations

Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.

Publications

• Zurlo F, Larson K, Bogardus C, Ravussin E. Skeletal muscle metabolism is a major determinant of resting energy expenditure. J Clin Invest. 1990 Nov;86(5):1423-7. doi: 10.1172/JCI114857. PMID 2243122
• Zhang R, Dong SY, Wang F, Ma C, Zhao XL, Zeng Q, Fei A. Associations between Body Composition Indices and Metabolic Disorders in Chinese Adults: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study. Chin Med J (Engl). 2018 Feb 20;131(4):379-388. doi: 10.4103/0366-6999.225059. PMID 29451141
• Yu T, Oguma Y, Asakura K, Takayama M, Abe Y, Arai Y. Relationship between Dietary Patterns and Subjectively Measured Physical Activity in Japanese Individuals 85 Years and Older: A Cross-Sectional Study. Nutrients. 2022 Jul 17;14(14):2924. doi: 10.3390/nu14142924. PMID 35889881
• Wulan SN, Raza Q, Prasmita HS, Martati E, Maligan JM, Mageshwari U, Fatima I, Plasqui G. Energy Metabolism in Relation to Diet and Physical Activity: A South Asian Perspective. Nutrients. 2021 Oct 25;13(11):3776. doi: 10.3390/nu13113776. PMID 34836031
• Tseng BY, Uh J, Rossetti HC, Cullum CM, Diaz-Arrastia RF, Levine BD, Lu H, Zhang R. Masters athletes exhibit larger regional brain volume and better cognitive performance than sedentary older adults. J Magn Reson Imaging. 2013 Nov;38(5):1169-76. doi: 10.1002/jmri.24085. Epub 2013 Mar 21. PMID 23908143
• Tanaka H, Seals DR. Endurance exercise performance in Masters athletes: age-associated changes and underlying physiological mechanisms. J Physiol. 2008 Jan 1;586(1):55-63. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2007.141879. Epub 2007 Aug 23. PMID 17717011
• Tanaka H, Tarumi T, Rittweger J. Aging and Physiological Lessons from Master Athletes. Compr Physiol. 2019 Dec 18;10(1):261-296. doi: 10.1002/cphy.c180041. PMID 31853968
• Tanaka H. Aging of Competitive Athletes. Gerontology. 2017;63(5):488-494. doi: 10.1159/000477722. Epub 2017 Jun 15. PMID 28614835

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07548515 · FIERC-2025-019

Primary sources (government registries)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (US NIH)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗