Vascular Adaptations to Single-Sprint Training (VASST)

The long-term objective of this research line is to identify and implement an effective and feasible intervention capable of preventing and/or reducing the burden of cardiometabolic and obesity-related diseases that affect Mississippians and others. The pursuit of this long-term objective will begin with achieving the specific aims proposed in this pilot project, which are to determine the effect of single sprint training for improving (1) systemic macro-vascular function, (2) local and systemic micro-vascular function, and (3) cardiorespiratory fitness. These aims will be achieved using a randomized controlled trial whereby 40 males and females will be randomized into an intervention group (n=20) or time-matched negative control group (n=20). The intervention group will perform a single maximal effort sprint on a cycle ergometer for twenty seconds 3 days/week for 4 weeks and the control group will be asked to maintain pre-intervention habits/behavior over 4 weeks. All outcome measures are non-invasive, and will be assessed pre-, mid-, and post-intervention, with the exception of cardiorespiratory fitness, which will be measured pre- and post-. To achieve aim 1, brachial artery flow-mediated dilation via ultrasonography and systolic and diastolic blood pressure via automated oscillometry will be measured on the arm. To achieve aim 2, post-occlusive reactive hyperemia via near-infrared spectroscopy and reactive hyperemia via ultrasound will be measured in the arm and leg, respectively. To achieve aim 3, pulmonary gas exchange will be measured during a graded exercise test on a cycle ergometer. All outcomes will be compared across time between conditions and sex with a three-way Bayesian Repeated Measures ANOVA using pre-values as covariates and an uninformed prior. 95% credible intervals will also be calculated to power future investigations using this intervention. If the intervention is found effective, future studies will be conducted to determine the efficacy of the intervention in larger groups and more clinical populations, and to determine the mechanisms mediating the adaptations. If ineffective, the knowledge gained will be used to develop future interventions.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Cardiovascular System
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Single-Sprint Training

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 46
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Mississippi
    • University, Mississippi, United States, 38677
      • University of Mississippi

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 35 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18-35 years
• Untrained (no regular exercise engagement for the previous 6 months)
• Healthy enough to begin exercise (assessed via Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Illness/injury preventing cycling exercise
• Prescribed medication to control heart rate
• Prescribed medication to control blood pressure
• Use of nicotine within the previous 6 months

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Intervention; The intervention group will perform a single maximal effort sprint on a cycle ergometer for twenty seconds 3 days/week for 4 weeks.	Behavioral: Single-Sprint Training; A single maximal effort sprint on a cycle ergometer for twenty seconds 3 days/week for 4 weeks
No Intervention: Time-Matched Control; The control group will be asked to maintain pre-intervention habits/behavior over 4 weeks.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change from baseline systemic macrovascular function at 2 weeks and 4 weeks	Systemic macrovascular changes will be quantified by measuring 1) brachial artery flow-mediated dilation via vascular ultrasound, and 2) resting brachial blood pressure via a standard automated blood pressure cuff.	week 0, week 2, and week 4
Change from baseline local and systemic microvascular function at 2 weeks and 4 weeks	Systemic changes in microvascular endothelial function will be quantified by using the post-occlusive reactive hyperemia technique in the arm. Local microvascular function will be measured using the passive leg movement technique for reactive hyperemia and post-occlusive reactive hyperemia in the leg.	week 0, week 2, and week 4

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change from baseline maximal oxygen consumption at 2 weeks and 4 weeks	To assess changes in cardiorespiratory fitness, pulmonary gas exchange data will be collected during a maximal graded exercise test on a cycle ergometer. VO2max and ventilation thresholds will be reported in accordance with current guidelines.	week 0, week 2, and week 4

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Mississippi, Oxford

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 5, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): July 31, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): December 5, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 26, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 3, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): February 14, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 26, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 20, 2025
• Last Verified: June 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Cardiorespiratory Fitness; Vascular
• Other Study ID Numbers: U54GM115428 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: There is no current plan to share individual data outside of the investigators responsible for conducting the study. If data are requested, they will only be shared after being de-identified, unless otherwise required by law.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No