Exercise for COVID-19 Immunity
(VIC Trial)
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?
Viruses are a major health problem for the general public and at risk populations. Normally, detection of antibody titers is the gold standard for determining the effectiveness of the immune system following natural or vaccine caused immunization. However, determining the effectiveness of other parts of the immune system are less common due to the difficulties with testing. Furthermore, there is a critical need to address other therapies in case vaccination is not successful in immuncompromised populations. Exercise has been shown to increase the strength of the immune system against many types of viruses and therefore could be simple way to improve immunity against the COVID-19 virus. The aim of this research is to determine the effects of exercise on anti-viral immunity against many types of common viruses before and after vaccination. We hypothesize that exercise will enhance the anti-viral immunity before and after vaccination.Up to 30 healthy volunteers (age 18-44 years) will be recruited to participate in this study. For completion of Aim 1, three visits are needed totaling around 7 hours of the patient's time and for Aim 2, three visits are needed totaling around 4.5 hours of the patient's time. The initial visit will be for pre-screening and if deemed healthy enough to participate, an exercise test to determine the VO2 max of the participant will be conducted. The following visits will require a trained phlebotomist to insert an in-dwelling catheter and participants will undergo a 20-minute incremental exercise trial. Approximately 50mL of blood will be collected at four different timepoints: at rest, 60% VO2 max, 80% VO2 max, and 1-hr post-exercise. All four collected blood samples will be used to expand viral specific T-cells and compare IFN-γ rele
Research Team
Richard J Simpson, PhD
Principal Investigator
The University of Arizona
Forrest L Baker, PhD
Principal Investigator
The University of Arizona
Eligibility Criteria
Healthy volunteers aged 18-44 who are 'low risk' for exercise, have been vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19, and meet AHA/ACSM criteria can join. They'll need to commit to several visits totaling about 11.5 hours.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Pre-screening and Exercise Test
Initial visit for pre-screening and VO2 max exercise test
Exercise and Blood Collection
Participants undergo incremental exercise trial and blood collection at multiple timepoints
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after exercise intervention
Treatment Details
Interventions
- COVID-19 Vaccine
- Exercise
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Forrest Baker
Lead Sponsor
University of Arizona
Lead Sponsor