Effect of Acute Exercise on Biochemical Parameters in Normal-Weight and Overweight/Obese Adolescent.

High Institute of Sports and Physical Education of Kef

Status: Completed

Conditions: Overweight; Obese Adolescents

Treatments: Behavioral: Spartacus Test

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07103889

ACUTE-EXER-OBESE-2025

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this interventional clinical trial is to compare the acute physiological and biochemical responses to maximal physical exercise (Spartacus test). in two groups of adolescent girls: in normal-weight and overweight/obese adolescent. The main question it aims to answer:

• Does Spartacus test significantly alter glucose metabolism and lipid profile in normal-weight and overweight/obese adolescent?
• How do inflammatory markers such as C-Reactive Protein [CRP], Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate [ESR], respond immediately after and 30 minutes following maximal effort?
• Are there significant changes in liver enzymes (Aspartate Aminotransferase [AST], Alanine Aminotransferase [ALT]), muscle damage indicators (creatine kinase [CK], Lactate Dehydrogenase [LDH]), and electrolyte balance post-exercise? Participants will undergo a baseline blood draw before performing the Spartacus test , a progressive maximal exercise test. Blood samples will then be collected immediately after the test and again 30 minutes post-exercise to evaluate changes in: Glucose metabolism (fasting glucose), Lipid profile (total cholesterol, High-Density Lipoprotein [HDL], Low-Density Lipoprotein [LDL], triglycerides), Liver and muscle enzymes (Aspartate Aminotransferase [AST], Alanine Aminotransferase [ALT], Creatine kinase [CK], Lactate Dehydrogenase [LDH]), Renal function markers (creatinine, urea), Inflammatory markers (C-Reactive Protein [CRP], Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate [ESR]), Hematological profile (complete blood count: White Blood Cells [WBC], Red Blood Cells [RBC], Hemoglobin [Hb], Hematocrit [Hct], platelets), Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride), Uric acid, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron.

Full description

This is an interventional clinical trial designed to evaluate the acute physiological and biochemical responses to maximal physical exercise (Spartacus test) in normal-weight and overweight/obese adolescent. The study aims to investigate how a single session Spartacus test affects key metabolic, inflammatory, hepatic, muscular, renal, and hematological parameters.

Participants will be divided into two groups:

Group 1: Normal-weight adolescent girls Adolescent girls with a body mass index (BMI) between the 5th and <85th percentile for age.

Group 2: Overweight/obese adolescent girls Adolescent girls with a BMI ≥ 85th percentile for age. The protocol involves running on a simulated rectangular course (750 m²), with increasing speed every 3 minutes (starting at 7 km/h and increasing by 1 km/h each stage). Participants must reach a marked cone corresponding to the new speed within 15 seconds, followed by a 15-second rest period before the next stage begins. The test continues until voluntary exhaustion or inability to maintain the required pace.

Blood samples will be collected at three time points:

Baseline (Time 0): Before the start of the exercise. Immediately post-exercise (Time 1): Within 5 minutes after completion of the test.

30 minutes post-exercise (Time 2): To assess early recovery kinetics.

The following biomarkers will be measured at each time point:

Metabolic profile: Fasting glucose, lipid panel (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides), uric acid Liver function: AST, ALT, LDH, CK Renal function: Creatinine, urea Inflammatory markers: C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) Hematological profile: Complete blood count (CBC), including white blood cell differential, hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell indices, and platelet count Electrolytes: Sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), chloride (Cl-) Minerals and trace elements: Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron

Enrollment: 35 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 13 to 18 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Female,
• Aged 14-18 years
• BMI between the 5th and <85th percentile for age (normal-weight group), or BMI ≥ 85th percentile for age (overweight/obese group)
• No chronic illness or contraindication to exercise
• No regular medication use
• Written informed consent from participant and parent/legal guardian

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of chronic diseases (diabetes, thyroid disorders, etc.)
• Musculoskeletal or cardiovascular contraindications to maximal exercise
• Pregnancy
• Recent infection or inflammation
• Use of anti-inflammatory or hormonal medications

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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35 participants in 2 patient groups

Normal-weight adolescent girls

Experimental group

Description:

Body mass index (BMI) between the 5th and \<85th percentile for age.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Spartacus Test

Overweight/obese adolescent

Experimental group

Description:

BMI ≥ 85th percentile for age.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Spartacus Test