Can Exercise Protect Our Bodies from Night Shift Related Health Problems?
This study plans to learn more about whether exercise can help protect the body from health problems that happen when a person’s sleep and daily schedule are out of sync with their natural body clock.
Why this Research Matters
People who work the night shift have natural body clocks that are out of sync with their daily schedules. This can cause short term and long term health problems. This study wants to see if exercise can protect the body from health problems that happen when a person’s body clock and daily schedule are out of sync.
What to Expect
Before you join the study, you will have two in-person visits to see if you are eligible. At these visits, the study team will ask questions about your health, take a small amount of your blood, and complete an electrocardiogram (ECG). An ECG is a test that checks your heart rate and rhythm. The study team will also complete a physical exam and measure your energy expenditure, blood glucose, blood pressure, height, weight, and body fat. You will also keep a sleep diary and wear a watch that tracks your activity and sleep. If you join the study, you will be randomly placed into one of two groups, like flipping a coin. You will not be able to choose which group you are in. One group will have a five day hospital stay at UCHealth where they will exercise. The other group will have a five day hospital stay at UCHealth without exercise. One week before your hospital stay, you will be asked to sleep for 8 hours each night. Three days before your hospital stay, you will be asked not to exercise or eat or drink any caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and over the counter medications. You will also be given set meals and mealtimes by the study team. The hospital stay will include 24 hour nursing support. During the first two days, you will have a daytime schedule and sleep at night. On the last three days, you will have a nighttime schedule and sleep during the day. During days 1, 3, and 4, you will order food from the hospital to eat. You will be given set meals and mealtimes on days 2 and 5. If you are in the group that gets to exercise, you will be asked to complete a 45 minute session of moderate exercise on days 3, 4, and 5. During the hospital stay you will wear the activity watch, keep a sleep diary, and fill out surveys. You will also have your blood pressure and glucose checked. On day 2 and 5, you will stay in the metabolic room where small samples of blood and urine will be taken throughout the day. After your hospital stay, you will also fill out surveys asking about your experience in the study.
Study Duration
You will be in the study for about 2 to 4 months.
Who can Participate
You may be able to join this study if you:
- Are between 18 to 40 years old
- Have a BMI between 18.5 and 40
- Are physically inactive
- Have no plans to move within the next 6 months and no plans on traveling for more than 2 weeks within the next 3 months
You cannot join this study if you:
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding, were pregnant in the past 6 months, or planning to become pregnant in the next 6 months
- Have any health problems that would impact your ability to eat or exercise
- Have diabetes
- Have used nicotine in the past 6 months
- Are participating in any other research studies or programs that might change your weight or affect your sleep
- Currently work night time shifts
Study ID
Protocol Number: 26-0127
Compensation Information
Meet the Team
Principal Investigator