Exercise rewires fat tissue at the cellular level, study hints
NCT ID NCT04812314
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study investigates how exercise affects the structure and function of fat tissue in adults aged 18-40 with obesity or metabolic syndrome. Participants are randomly assigned to either an exercise program or a sedentary control group. All undergo a 10% weight loss phase, then regain half the lost weight while researchers measure changes in fat cell size, tissue fibrosis, blood sugar control, and other metabolic markers.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- moderate intensity continuous exercise
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could reveal how exercise improves metabolic health at the tissue level, guiding better weight management strategies.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study focused on biological markers, not clinical outcomes. Results may not apply to all populations or lead to direct treatments.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 46 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Mar 2021
- Expected to finish
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Mar 2030
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 40 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age: 18-40 * Body Mass Index: 27-45 kg/m2 * No regularly planned exercise/physical activity for at least 6 months * Women must have regularly occurring menses and must be premenopausal Exclusion Criteria: * Evidence/history of cardiovascular or metabolic disease * Medications known to affect lipid or glucose metabolism, or inflammation * Weight instability ≥ ± 6 pounds in the last 3 months * Tobacco or e-cigarette users * Women must not be pregnant or actively lactating
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The study's own enquiry address
This study publishes an address for enquiries. See it below .
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Study contacts
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Contact
Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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University of Michigan
RECRUITINGAnn Arbor, Michigan, 48109, United States
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