Recruiting

Exercise TrainingExamining the Impact of Exercise Training on Vascular Dysfunction in Individuals With Mental Health Disorders - Study 3

Sponsor:

Virginia Commonwealth University

Code:

NCT04916340

Conditions

Peripheral Vascular Diseases

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18 - 35

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Interventions

Muscular Strength Training Group

Muscular Fitness Training Group

Study Details

Brief summary:

The purpose of this research study is to examine the effect of various forms of exercise training on blood vessel function in healthy individuals as well as individuals with mental health disorders (posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)).

Conditions

Peripheral Vascular Diseases

Study ID

NCT04916340

Start date

Jan 24, 2022

Status verified date

Mar, 2026

Completion date

Dec 28, 2026

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Dec 28, 2026

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18 - 35

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

apparently healthy and free of overt cardiovascular, pulmonary, or metabolic disease
for PTSD group, a score of ≥ 33 on PCL-5 checklist
for GAD group, a score of ≥ 10 on the GAD-7 self-report scale and < 33 on the PCL-5 checklist
for Healthy Control group, a score of ≤ 10 on the GAD-7 self-report scale and < 33 on the PCL-5 checklist

Exclusion Criteria:

taking medications that could influence cardiovascular function
current smokers who have recently quit smoking
illicit drug use or excessive alcohol consumption
pregnant women
significant calorie restriction or vitamin/mineral deficiencies
limited English proficiency

Study Design

Enrollment

240 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Parallel Assignment

Primary purpose

Basic Science

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Muscular Strength

Participants will complete study 1 (HM20020955-1) and then 10 weeks of resistance training for muscular strength

experimental: Muscular fitness

Participants will complete study 1 (HM20020955-1) and then 10 weeks of resistance training for muscular fitness

Interventions

Muscular Strength Training Group

Week 1 3 days/week Bench Press - 1 set at 80% of one repetition maximum

(1RM) Bent Over Row - 1 set at 80% 1RM Back Squat - 1 set at 80% 1RM Romanian Deadlift - 1 set at 80% 1RM

Week 2 3 days/week Bench Press - 2 sets at 80% 1RM Bent Over Row - 2 sets at 80% 1RM Back Squat - 2 sets at 80% 1RM Romanian Deadlift - 2 sets at 80% 1RM

Weeks 3-10 3 days/week Bench Press - 3 sets at 80% 1RM Bent Over Row - 3 sets at 80% 1RM Back Squat - 3 sets at 80% 1RM Romanian Deadlift - 3 sets at 80% 1RM

Muscular Fitness Training Group

Week 1 3 days/week Bench Press - 1 set at 65% 1RM Bent Over Row - 1 set at 65% 1RM Back Squat - 1 set at 65% 1RM Romanian Deadlift - 1 set at 65% 1RM

Week 2 3 days/week Bench Press - 2 sets at 65% 1RM Bent Over Row - 2 sets at 65% 1RM Back Squat - 2 sets at 65% 1RM Romanian Deadlift - 2 sets at 65% 1RM

Weeks 3-10 3 days/week Bench Press - 3 sets at 65% 1RM Bent Over Row - 3 sets at 65% 1RM Back Squat - 3 sets at 65% 1RM Romanian Deadlift - 3 sets at 65% 1RM

Primary outcome measure

Arm Vascular Function at Rest (Flow Mediated Dilation Test) [ Time Frame: Baseline to the end of the final visit, about 14 weeks ]
Leg Vascular Function (Passive Leg Movement Test) [ Time Frame: Baseline to the end of the final visit, about 14 weeks ]
Arm Vascular Function in Response to Exercise (Handgrip Exercise Test) [ Time Frame: Baseline to the end of the final visit, about 14 weeks ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Ryan Garten, PhD

(804) 828-1948 rsgarten@vcu.edu

Locations

Virginia Commonwealth University

Recruiting

Richmond, Virginia, United States, 23298

More Information

Sponsor

Virginia Commonwealth University

Last update posted

Apr 1, 2026

Last verified

Mar, 2026

Keywords

cardiovascular disease
vascular function
PTSD
GAD
Oxidant

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-10. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by Virginia Commonwealth University on 2026-04-01.