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ENDURE employs a two-group randomized controlled trial design (n=40/group). Subjects are healthy and independently living 70-80-years-olds, free from cardiopulmonary disease and risk of deep vein thrombosis. Habitual daily step count should be above 5000 prior to the study. The primary outcome measure is lean leg mass.

After baseline measures, subjects are randomized to one of two groups. Group 1 reduce the daily steps below 2000 for two weeks. Group 2 have no restrictions of their daily steps. Following the two-week intervention, measurements are re-performed and then a four-week exercise intervention begins for group 1. Over this four-week period, neither group has restricted step count. Group 1 engages in supervised strength (twice per week) and endurance (twice per week) training in our gym. After completion of this four-week period, the final measurements are performed. Group 2 receive no intervention thorughout the study. Through this design, we can simulate the effect of preventive treatment (e.g. hospital outpatient clinics or municipality-provided exercise groups) compared to typical or no treatment.

Measurements include body composition by DXA-scan, maximal isometric leg press strength and short physical performance battery (which includes walking speed, 5-time chair rise, and balance tests). Additionally, blood samples after an overnight fast are obtained, to analyze blood glucose and insulin concentration as well as white blood cell respiration (using OROBOROS methodology). Respiration of white blood cells is rarely studied, but has been shown to indicate whole body metabolism and metabolic health. It is possible that white blood cell respiration would be a biomarker for metabolic health in the future, which is an important part of the ENDURE-study.