Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Mechanisms of Disuse Atrophy in Human Skeletal Muscle (iMOB)

When an arm or leg is rested, for example, after a broken bone, muscles can quickly become smaller and weaker. This study, called 'iMOB', aims to understand exactly how and why this happens. Researchers want to find out how quickly changes start in the muscles and look closely at the body's processes that lead to this muscle loss. They will compare muscles that lose strength and size quickly with those that cope better with not being used. The study will also explore if there are differences in muscle changes between younger and older people. The main goal is to learn more about how our muscles work and how they react to not being used, which could help develop new ways to keep muscles strong and healthy for everyone.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Nottingham

Enrolment target

Start

01 Apr 2019

Estimated completion

01 Oct 2026

Muscular Atrophy Immobility Syndrome

What is this study about?

Imagine you've had a minor injury and have to rest your leg for a while. You might notice your thigh or calf muscle seems a bit smaller and weaker when you start moving again. This is what we call 'muscle wasting' or 'disuse atrophy,' and it's a common problem that can affect people of all ages. It can happen after an injury, if someone is in bed for a long time, or even as we get older.

This study, called 'Mechanisms of Disuse Atrophy in Human Skeletal Muscle' (we call it iMOB for short), is trying to understand the inner workings of our muscles when they're not being used. While we know that muscles get weaker, the exact 'how' and 'why' aren't fully understood. We want to see how quickly these changes begin, and what specific processes within our muscle cells lead to this loss of size and strength. The research team will also look at why some muscles seem more affected than others – it’s like some muscles are more resilient to not being used.

Another important aspect of this study is looking at how age plays a role. Do young people and older people experience muscle wasting in the same way? By answering these questions, the study hopes to find clues that could lead to new treatments or ways to prevent muscle wasting, helping people maintain their strength and mobility throughout their lives.

Key takeaways

Understanding why muscles weaken when not used.
Investigating how quickly muscle changes start.
Comparing strong muscles to those more affected by disuse.
Exploring if muscle wasting differs between young and older men.
Aims to discover new ways to keep muscles healthy.

Who may be eligible?

To take part in this study, you need to be a male between 18 and 80 years old, with a healthy body weight (your BMI should be between 18 and 35). There are two age groups: one for men aged 18-40, and another for men aged 65-80.

There are certain reasons why you wouldn't be able to join the study. These include if your body weight is outside the healthy range (BMI below 18 or above 35), or if you are female. Also, if you or a close family member has a history of blood clots (venous thromboembolism) or if you have any other significant long-term health conditions, you would not be able to participate.

It's important that detailed health checks are done before anyone officially joins the study to make sure it's safe for them and that the study results are clear. Your medical team will help determine if you meet all the requirements.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you male?
Are you between 18 and 40, or 65 and 80 years old?
Is your BMI between 18 and 35 (a healthy weight for your height)?
Do you have a personal or family history of blood clots?
Do you have any serious long-term health conditions?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, the study involves a method where one of your legs will be rested for a period. This will involve single leg immobilisation, which means keeping one leg still or less active to mimic disuse. During this time, the research team will carry out various assessments to measure changes in your muscle strength, size, and other bodily processes. There will be several visits to the study centre for these checks. The total duration of your participation, including follow-up assessments, will be explained in detail by the study team.

Potential risks and benefits

By taking part, you might not directly benefit from the study yourself, but your contribution is crucial for helping us understand more about muscle health. This knowledge could lead to better ways to prevent and treat muscle weakness in the future, benefiting many people. Potential risks are generally low, but some discomfort might arise from keeping one leg rested or from the assessments themselves. The study team will explain all potential risks in detail, and you will have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Graduate Entry Medical School
Verified postcode
Derby, United Kingdom

Common questions

What does 'disuse atrophy' mean?

It means your muscles get smaller and weaker when you don't use them much, for example, after an injury or if you're on bed rest.

Why is only one leg rested in the study?

By resting one leg, we can compare it to your other active leg to see exactly how the muscles change when they're not being used.

Will my muscles fully recover after the study?

Yes, your muscles are expected to recover their normal size and strength after returning to regular activity at the end of the study.

Why are only men included in this study?

Studies sometimes start with one group (like men) to simplify the initial research. Future studies may look at women too.

What is a 'BMI'?

BMI stands for Body Mass Index, which is a measure that uses your height and weight to tell if your weight is healthy for your height.