Sleep, exercise & metabolism study
Our study is titled “Effects of Sprint Interval Exercise on Glucose Tolerance and Mitochondrial Characteristic in Response to Sleep Loss in Females” and is being conducted by researchers at Victoria University’s Institute for Health and Sport (IHES), with funding support from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
The aims of the study, led by Prof. David Bishop, Dr Nicholas Saner, and Ms Yaqian Qu, are to evaluate the effectiveness of sprint interval exercise in improving mitochondrial characteristics and glucose metabolism under conditions of inadequate sleep.
About the study
In modern society, inadequate sleep has become a common risk factor for metabolic dysfunction. It is closely linked to insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, and reduced mitochondrial function. This study will use a controlled sleep restriction model combined with sprint interval exercise (SIE) to examine how sleep loss affects glucose metabolism, and to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms.
The findings aim to provide new insights and practical strategies for maintaining metabolic health under sleep-loss conditions, and to expand our understanding of the interactions between sleep, exercise, and metabolism.
Benefits of participating
- all meals provided
- $500 e-gift card for completing the study
- Fitness & sleep quality feedback
Eligibility & requirements
To take part in the study you must:
- be female, aged 18–35 years
- have a BMI between 18–30 kg/m² (BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)²)
- have a egular sleep duration (7–9 hours per night)
- experience a regular menstrual cycle (28–35 days)
- engage in regular exercise (minimum 3 times per week)
- have no chronic medical conditions or medications affecting sleep or glucose metabolism
- not be a shift worker or recent international traveller (within the past 4 weeks).
Participants are required to:
- spend 10 nights at the VU sleep hotel (Footscray Park Campus)
- experience possible periods of reduced sleep (6h time in bed)
- engage in exercise testing (VO2max test) + sprint interval exercise
- give blood & muscle samples
- taker part in a body composition analysis (DEXA scan)
- have their sleep and glucose levels monitored daily.
Expression of interest
If you are a healthy female aged 18 to 40 and are interested in how sleep and exercise affect health and metabolism, please get in touch.
