Every day is a great day to focus on ways to maintain your health so you can live life to the fullest. Now, you can learn more about your health while helping others.
At the AdventHealth Research Institute, we are studying the science behind exercise — to unlock the healing power of movement. These studies rely on volunteers from the community to participate in this important research. Exercise research has found numerous benefits, including:
- Improved Stamina, Fitness and Cardiovascular Health
Regular exercise strengthens the heart, increases endurance, reduces fatigue and reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure.
- Weight Management and Muscle Strength
Regular physical activity is essential for building muscle strength and maintaining a healthy body weight.
- Mental Health and Well-being
Exercise is important for mental health. Regular physical activity reduces symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress and improves sleep.
- Lower Risk of Chronic Diseases
Individuals who perform regular exercise have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers, including colon and prostate cancer.
Why Participating in Exercise Research is Important
You’ve probably heard from your doctor that exercise is good for you. But why is it good for you? Researchers are looking to answer this question by studying how the human body reacts to exercise at the cellular level. The answer may lead to better recommendations for improving health in people of all body types. By participating in an exercise study, you can learn more about your health while contributing to this important research. Plus, compensation is available for qualified participants.
AdventHealth strongly believes in the importance of a diverse population in research to ensure that the findings apply to all patients. When you participate, researchers can better understand the efficacy of new treatments, develop targeted therapies and improve overall health outcomes for everyone.
How It Works
Our physicians screen every new participant accepted into a study to ensure that they safely meet the participation criteria. While every research study is unique, exercise research may require you to:
- Exercise under supervision.
- Be measured for weight, height and waist circumference.
- Submit lifestyle questionnaire information.
- Undergo tissue and blood sampling.
- Receive medical imaging, such as MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), DXA bone-density scanning and PET-CT (positron emission tomography-computed tomography).
- Wear an activity monitor.
Your participation is voluntary, and our research team will monitor your health and well-being during the length of the study.
Inquiring minds want to know.
About Exercise and Bioenergetics (Energy) Research
What is bioenergetics?
Bioenergetics is the process of how the cells in our body transform and use energy.
What questions are researchers hoping to answer through exercise research?
- Can exercise improve or prevent the development of chronic diseases?
- How do our lifestyle choices impact our body’s ability to transform and use energy?
- How does age impact our ability to recover after periods of inactivity?
- How do metabolic diseases alter our functional capacity and ability to transform and use energy?
- How does reduced physical activity or immobilization affect our whole-body composition and does this relate to changes at a cellular level?
- How do certain supplements, diet and nutrition affect our body’s ability to transform and use energy.
How can a participant benefit?
Your participation contributes to new and important scientific discoveries that can make a large impact on your community. There are also several potential benefits to you as an individual that could include:
- Weight loss, improved body composition and strength
- Improvements in quality of life
- Opportunity to learn new exercises and physical activities that will build a healthier lifestyle
- Monetary incentives
- Access to new and advanced therapies and treatment strategies before it’s available to the public
Is it safe?
Our physicians screen every new participant accepted into a study to ensure that they safely meet the criteria to participate. Your participation is voluntary, and our research team continues to monitor your health and well-being during the length of the study.
About the AdventHealth Exercise Research Program
From understanding how exercise acts as medicine to sending muscle cells to space, our team of research faculty, exercise physiologists and postdoctoral fellows are experts in muscle function and research training methods. Our training facility, located at the Translational Research Institute, is equipped with state-of-the-art exercise tools, including treadmills, upright bicycles, recumbent bicycles, rowing equipment, free weights and resistance equipment. Ergometers and ECG systems are used for testing the maximum amount of oxygen that a person can use during strenuous exercise. The facility also has the capability to monitor participants’ blood pressure, blood glucose, urine ketones, heart rate (via heart rate monitor wrist watches and chest straps) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) at specific time intervals. Plus, the facility includes well-appointed men’s and women’s showers, lockers and changing rooms. Its innovative research designed to redefine the health care of tomorrow.
To learn more about our exercise research studies and how you can help make a difference in the health of our community, visit AHExerciseResearch.com.
