Understanding the Relationship of Body Composition and Metabolism in Adult and Older Filipino Endurance and Strength Athletes in the Philippines (NPOWER P1)

April 21, 2026 updated by: Ma. Lourdes T. Cumagun, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Philippines

Understanding the Relationship of Body Composition and Metabolism in Adult and Older Filipino Endurance and Strength Athletes in the Philippines (NPOWER P1)

This study aims to address the gap by investigating the correlation between body composition and metabolism in adult and older Filipino endurance and strength athletes. It seeks to offer significant insights that can guide age- and sport-specific training programs, nutritional strategies, and health interventions adapted to the requirements of Filipino athletes. The results may help enhance the wider discussion on fostering healthy aging and athletic longevity in the Philippines.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

The general objective of the study is to conduct fundamental researches in nutrition physiology among Filipino athletes in selected sports through evaluation of their body composition, metabolism, nutritional status, aerobic capacity, and physical performance using validated assessment tools. Specifically, the study aims to:

  • Compare the body composition of Filipino athletes and age- and sex-matched non-athletes using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), air displacement plethysmography (ADP), muscle ultrasound and deuterium dilution technique;
  • Assess and compare the metabolism via resting and activity energy expenditure, nutritional status, dietary intake, and aerobic capacity of Filipino athletes and age- and sex-matched non-athletes using indirect calorimetry techniques, anthropometric measurements, food diaries, VO₂max measurement, lactic acid threshold, and Incremental Step Test;
  • Determine the association of body composition, metabolism, and aerobic capacity among adults and senior citizen athletes partaking in recreational sports; and
  • Analyze the relationship of nutritional status and metabolism with physical performance indicators among adults and senior citizen athletes partaking in recreational sports.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

120

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Probability Sample

Study Population

The participants will include both athletes and non-athletes, comprising early and mid-adults aged 20-40 and older adults aged 60-69. The athletes will consist of endurance athletes (those engaged in sports like running, swimming, and cycling, among others) and strength athletes (those engaged in weightlifting).

Description

Inclusion Criteria (Athletes):

  • Male or female athletes aged 20-40 (early and mid-adults) and 60-69 (older adults)
  • Natural-born Filipinos with maternal and paternal Filipino heritage
  • Current and former national and professional athletes, actively participating in endurance or strength sports events or recreational sports events
  • Current off-season athletes undergoing training or former professional athletes who played <3 years ago
  • With ≥3 years of formal, structured athletic training
  • Apparently healthy (no cardiovascular conditions, respiratory diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, neurological conditions and metabolic disorders)
  • Ambulatory and can perform physical activity exercises such as treadmill walking/running and stationary bike
  • Cleared by a physician to participate in exercise testing; for older adults, clearance must be based on electrocardiogram (ECG) results.

Inclusion Criteria (Non-Athletes):

  • Age (+3 years) and sex-matched community-dwelling participants
  • Natural-born Filipinos with maternal and paternal Filipino heritage
  • Not involved in structured or competitive exercise training
  • Apparently healthy (no cardiovascular conditions, respiratory diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, neurological conditions and metabolic disorders)
  • Ambulatory and can perform physical activity exercises such as treadmill walking/running and stationary bike
  • Cleared by a physician to participate in exercise testing; for older adults, clearance must be based on electrocardiogram (ECG) results.

Exclusion Criteria (Athletes and Non-Athletes):

  • Unable to comprehend and answer the questions
  • Presence of metal implants and/or pacemaker
  • Has limited mobility and a history of orthopedic surgery (that may limit their mobility)
  • With medically diagnosed severe diseases that could affect body composition or metabolism (i.e., cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, renal diseases, thyroid disorders)
  • Experienced minor or major injury in the past 3 months that will inhibit the performance
  • Taking prohibited sports substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Program that may influence the performance of exercise
  • Taking medications that can affect metabolism (e.g., mood stabilizers, GLP-1 receptor agonists etc.)
  • Current smoker or Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS; vape, e-cigarette) smoker

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Athletes
Strength and Endurance Athletes
Non-athletes
Community-dwelling participants

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Fat Mass in kilograms and percentage
Time Frame: The expected period of the collection per participant is 3 days.
Fat mass will be measured using the Bioelectric Impedance Analyzer (BIA), the Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) Machine, Deuterium Dilution Technique (DDT), ultrasound technology, and air displacement method.
The expected period of the collection per participant is 3 days.
Fat-Free Mass in kilograms and percentage
Time Frame: The expected period of the collection per participant is 3 days.
Fat-free mass will be measured using the Bioelectric Impedance Analyzer (BIA), the Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) Machine, Deuterium Dilution Technique (DDT), ultrasound technology, and air displacement method.
The expected period of the collection per participant is 3 days.
Resting Metabolic Rate in kilocalories per day
Time Frame: The expected period of the collection per participant is 3 days.
Resting Metabolic Rate Energy expenditure at rest will be measured using an indirect calorimeter (COSMED Fitmate, Rome, Italy) in the fasting state (10-12 hours).
The expected period of the collection per participant is 3 days.
Activity Energy Expenditure in kilocalories
Time Frame: The expected period of the collection per participant is 3 days.

Active energy expenditure will be measured using an indirect calorimeter (COSMED K5). They will follow an Incremental Step Test using a cycle ergometer.

The participants will be assisted by a researcher during the familiarization phase wherein the KOPS Approach and Familiarization to the equipment will be held. The KOPS Approach must have their legs at least right angle, knees and arms should not be over extended. Make sure that the feet of participants are sealed onto the pedal pads. Participants will be instructed to maintain a pedaling rate of 40-60 revolutions per minute (rpm). Each stage of the test will last three minutes, with the workload increasing progressively until the participant reaches fatigue or test termination

The expected period of the collection per participant is 3 days.
Aerobic Capacity in mL/kg/min
Time Frame: The expected period of the collection per participant is 3 days.
Aerobic capacity will be measured using an incremental step test in an ergocycle.
The expected period of the collection per participant is 3 days.
Blood Lactate Concentration in mmol/L during exercise
Time Frame: The expected period of the collection per participant is 3 days.
Lactate levels will be measured at baseline, during the conducted of incremental step test (during stage 3 and stage 5), and during the cool down period. 20 uL of blood will be collected through finger-prick.
The expected period of the collection per participant is 3 days.
Handgrip strength in kilograms
Time Frame: The expected period of the collection per participant is 3 days.
A hydraulic hand dynamometer will be used as an objective instrument for grip strength.
The expected period of the collection per participant is 3 days.
Leg strength in Newton-meter
Time Frame: The expected period of the collection per participant is 3 days.
An isokinetic dynamometer will be utilized to measure leg strength, precisely that of the quadriceps muscle. This will be assessed using maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the knee extensors using an isokinetic dynamometer.
The expected period of the collection per participant is 3 days.
Speed of participants in kilometers per hour
Time Frame: The expected period of the collection per participant is 3 days.
To assess the speed of young athletes and non-athletes, the study will use the Beep Test. In this test, participants run back and forth between two cones placed 20 meters apart, following the pace set by audio "beep" sounds. Divided into 21 levels, with each level lasting about 1 minute. The running speed starts at 8.5 km/h and gradually increases by 0.5 km/h at every making the test more challenging as it progresses.
The expected period of the collection per participant is 3 days.
Dietary Intake in kilocalories or grams per day
Time Frame: The expected period of the collection per participant is 3 days.
The participants' dietary intake for two non-consecutive days (one weekday and one weekend) before the data collection will be collected using a food record (FR). For athletes, it is preferable that one training day will be reflected in their FR but only when it coincides with the scheduled activities; otherwise, this is not required. Average daily energy, protein, carbohydrates, and fats intake will be reported.
The expected period of the collection per participant is 3 days.

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Ma. Lourdes T. Cumagun, Department of Science and Technology - Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI)

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

May 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

October 31, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

January 31, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

April 15, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 21, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

April 23, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

April 23, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 21, 2026

Last Verified

April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • FIERC-2025-019

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

all IPD that underlie results in a publication

IPD Sharing Time Frame

Beginning 3 months and ending 3 years after the publication of results

IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type

  • STUDY_PROTOCOL
  • SAP
  • ICF

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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