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Help us research how metabolism is impacted by exercise at different times of the day

Earn £400 and help us research how exercise during different times of the day affects metabolism. We need healthy individuals aged 18-50 with a BMI of 18-35.

The human body has an internal system that helps regulate itself throughout the day, known as the circadian timing system. This system involves 'clocks' in various tissues within the body.

Skeletal muscle uses a lot of energy, and plays a major role in controlling blood sugar levels. But, poor diet and lack of physical activity can affect how well skeletal muscle manages this task.

Previous research has revealed how circadian timing systems work in human muscles and how the timing of food intake can affect them. However, we are now keen to learn whether the timing of exercise during the day also affects these daily rhythms.

How to take part in this research study

We are recruiting participants for this study until 31 May 2027.

What you’ll do

If you take part in this study, you’ll be required to make two visits to our laboratory on our University of Bath campus.

One week before the main trial, you’ll visit the laboratory to perform a short exercise test.

From then until the main trial day, you must record your food intake and sleep, and wear an activity and light monitor.

The main trial day will last around 37 hours and will include two overnight stays in the laboratory and 24 hours of testing.

During the 24-hour period of testing, you’ll be continuously fed through a nasogastric tube and be given an infusion of protein and sugar tracers into the vein. We will collect hourly blood and breath samples, and small muscle samples will be taken every four hours.

You’ll then either rest for the 24-hour testing period or be asked to cycle for one hour at the start of the testing period.

What you’ll get for taking part

Upon successful completion of the study, you’ll receive £400.

You’ll also get information about your general fitness, resting metabolic rate and blood metabolites, and hormones.

Eligibility

To take part in this study, you must:

  • Be between 18-50 years of age with females being premenopausal
  • Have a body mass index (BMI) between 18 and 35 kg/m
  • Weigh at least 67kg
  • Be metabolically healthy
  • Have a regular sleep cycle with a sleep duration of between six and eight hours-per-night
  • Not be taking regular medication or food supplements from which it is not possible to refrain
  • Not participated in shift work or have travelled more than three time zones in the three weeks prior to the study
  • Not have a history of any circadian or sleep disorder

Your data

All data collected will be kept entirely confidential. It will be stored securely on the University of Bath's servers.

Only the research team and, if necessary, University governance staff will have access to the information you provide in the survey. Your name or any other identifying information will not be disclosed in any presentation or publication of the research.

Ethical approval

This project has been approved by Yorkshire & Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee [reference: 25/YH/0055].

Join this research study

If you want to take part in this research study, or have any questions about it, please contact us.