Research
Hertfordshire Birth Cohort Physical Activity Trial
This study will examine whether birth weight affects how an individual responds to exercise later in life. Some studies have shown that people who had a low birth weight have a greater risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease in adulthood. This increased risk occurs through changes in the body and its metabolism which ultimately reduce how sensitive the body is to the hormone insulin. In contrast, exercise has been shown to have beneficial effects on the body and its insulin sensitivity.
We aim to determine whether birth weight has an effect on how well people respond to a 12 week exercise programme. We have recruited volunteers from Hertfordshire, UK, in whom birth weight was accurately recorded in the 1930s. Detailed measurements have been taken from each volunteer, including measures of body shape and size, physical activity levels and fitness as well as different measures of insulin sensitivity. The volunteers will then be split randomly into two groups. One group will follow an exercise programme and the other group will not participate in the exercise programme. All of the measurements will then be repeated 12 weeks later and any changes in the exercise group will be studied in detail.
This study has recruited 106 volunteers and is being conducted in collaboration with the MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit in Southampton.
