Clinical trials

In a single-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled crossover manner, this study aims to assess the impact of a high-fat mixed meal containing a whey protein (WP)-enriched milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) powdered ingredient on markers of heart and brain health in the fed state among middle-to-older-aged, postmenopausal women living with overweight and at moderate risk for cardiovascular disease. Participants will attend two \~8 hour study visits, where they will consume a high-fat meal containing a WP-enriched MFGM powdered ingredient or a placebo WP-based powdered ingredient. Each visit will involve anthropometric measurements and periodic assessments of heart health, including blood pressure and blood vessel stiffness measurements, blood sample collections, as well as computer-based tests measuring mood and cognition (brain function) over a 6-hour postprandial period.

Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome (GTPS) is a condition that causes pain on the outer side of the hip. This clinical trial tests a simple exercise timing approach for adults with GTPS. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Can enough people with GTPS be recruited and complete this study? * How many participants fill in their questionnaires at all five check-ins? * Do participants find the exercise timing approach easy and acceptable? Researchers will compare three groups. Each group receives different guidance on when to do their exercises. This will show whether timing guidance (with or without reminders) works better than usual care. Participants will: * Follow a prescribed hip exercise programme set by their healthcare provider * Fill in a short daily survey (1-2 minutes) for 28 days * Complete online questionnaires about hip pain, movement, and exercise at five - points over about three months * Join an online group discussion at the end of the study Adults aged 18 and over may take part if they: * Have been diagnosed with GTPS by a healthcare provider * Are able to exercise safely * Own a mobile phone Taking part may help participants keep up with their prescribed exercises, which may in turn reduce hip pain and improve daily activities. It could also help researchers find better ways to support people with GTPS in the future.

Osteoporosis is a systemic bone disorder characterised by a reduced bone mass and structural deterioration, increasing the risk of fragility fractures, particularly in women post-menopause. Bone mass and structure can be assessed by scans. Antiresorptive medications are commonly prescribed to reduce bone resorption, preventing further bone loss and thus reducing the possibility of fracture. Exercise can also benefit bone mass and structure but current evidence do not show whether exercise is more, or less, effective in combination with antiresorptive medication. This study will compare the effect of a brief, home-based exercise programme on bone mineral and structural properties in women taking/ not taking antiresorptive medication.

Occupational workers regularly perform physically demanding tasks in hot environments, exposing them to heat stress and potential dehydration. While the physiological impacts of heat exposure are well-documented, its effects on glycemic control remain less understood. Given the rising global temperatures due to climate change and the increasing prevalence of metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, it is essential to investigate how heat exposure during work influences glycemic regulation. Understanding these interactions will help inform future occupational health guidelines and metabolic health recommendations in physically demanding industries.

The main aim of this study is to understand if chronic supplementation (12 weeks) of a milk fat globule membrane containing supplement, called bioactive whey protein concentrate, improves human muscle function greater than a placebo supplement within a cohort of healthy, recreationally active adults. Furthermore, we aim to investigate whether any potential benefits of milk fat globule membrane are influenced by age through the assessment of 2 distinct age subgroups (young and older). We hypothesise that neuromuscular function (strength and power) will increase from pre to post within the group that consumes bioactive whey protein concentrate but not the placebo group, with a greater increase in the older group compared to the young group.

Certain populations, such as industrial workers and endurance athletes are particularly susceptible to dehydration due to exposure to heat for long periods of time causing evaporative water loss via sweating. The physical and cognitive decrements associated with dehydration have been widely researched, however the effect of dehydration on metabolism is lesser known. As climate change is causing temperatures to rise, and metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes are more common, the effect of dehydration on metabolism, specifically glycemic response to meals, needs to be established for future recommendations in clinical, environmental and athletic settings. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effect of acute exercise-induced dehydration on subsequent metabolic responses to feeding (i.e. glycaemia and insulinaemia).

The goal of this randomised controlled trial study is to investigate whether exercise (brisk walking, equal to 13 on a rating of perceived exertion scale; somewhat hard) can be used as an adjuvant therapy for people living with axial spondyloarthritis and taking biologic medications to further improve their quality of life and lower their symptoms and disease burden. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does a 12-week structured home-based aerobic exercise intervention have a favourable effect on markers of immune-mediated inflammation and symptom severity? As a secondary aim and outcome, this study will investigate: * The acceptability of this intervention using questionnaires with free text boxes and one-to-one semi-structured interviews in a subset (50%) of participants (Q-ExTASI-B substudy). * The effect of the home-based intervention on circulating markers of cardiometabolic health, anthropometrical measures, and immune markers that associate with systemic inflammation. * The effect of the home-based intervention on objective measures of physical function and exercise tolerance The study will compare the data of a healthy group with that of people living with axial spondyloarthritis. Within the patient population, 20 of the individuals will be allocated to the exercise group (randomly), and 20 will be allocated to the usual care group. In the exercise group, participants will be asked to do 30 minutes of brisk walking five days a week for 12 weeks, and they will be visiting Loughborough University every four weeks to provide blood samples and fill out questionnaires. Participants in the usual care group will continue with their current care routine and will visit the study site to provide blood samples and questionnaire data every 4 weeks. The data from all axSpA patients will be compared to healthy controls, and subgroup analysis will be conducted to investigate the difference between the exercise group and the usual care group.