Overview of the study

Who is conducting the study?

The study is being conducted by the Fitness, Aging, and Stress (FAST) Lab at the University of British Columbia, led by Principal Investigator Dr. Eli Puterman, and run by MSc student Hana Hicks and PhD student Luke Peddie. This study is funded by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Discovery Grant awarded to Dr. Puterman.

If you decide to join the study:

You will be enrolled in the study and will come into the FAST Lab located on the UBC Vancouver campus for two separate visits.

(1) FIRST VISIT: otherwise known as “Day 1” will last approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. You will be asked to fill out some brief questionnaires and then complete a 20-minute graded maximal treadmill test to measure your aerobic fitness status. You will also be fitted with physiological monitoring devices.

(2) SECOND VISIT: otherwise known as “Day 2” will take 4.5 hours to complete. The protocol is similar to Day 1 - you will be refitted with the equipment and will complete a 30-minute run, which includes a warmup period, at a fixed intensity that is lower than your maximum. This will be followed by a 5-minute recovery period and extended sitting period. Following this we will ask you to participate in a short social interaction and then complete a final 70-minute rest period. 12 saliva samples will be collected periodically throughout this visit.

Following the completion of both days, you will receive a complimentary fitness assessment. You will also receive a cash honorarium or HSP credits (depending on your method of sign-up) that will be provided to you at the end of the second appointment.