Clinical Research Directory

Assessing the Potential Role of the Gut Microbiome in Modulating Physical Abilities in Humans

The intestinal microbiome is a microbial system that is influenced by host genetics and environmental exposures such as nutrition, stress and medications. There is a growing body of evidence indicating the significant contribution of the gut microbiome to host health and disease. Furthermore, it has been shown that exercise may modify the microbiome composition. However, important mechanistic questions related to the possible associations between exercise and the human gut microbiome remain unanswered. In this study, the investigators are using advanced state-of-the-art measurements of physical activity level and related metabolic parameters whether there is a connection between the microbiome and physical abilities in healthy participants and whether antibiotics consumption can influence host physical abilities and glycemic responses through changes induced in microbiome composition and function.

Aerobic, Strength, Kegel (ASK) Exercise Intervention Perceptions for Postpartum Health

The goal of this pilot clinical trial is to learn whether a 12-week home-based exercise programme is feasible, acceptable, and safe for postpartum women in Hong Kong who had hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The exercise programme is called the Aerobic, Strength, and Kegel exercise programme, or ASK programme. The main questions this study aims to answer are: * Can postpartum women follow the ASK exercise programme at home? * Is the ASK exercise programme acceptable and safe? * Does the ASK exercise programme show early benefits for postpartum recovery and health? Researchers will compare women who receive the ASK exercise programme with women who receive standard postnatal care. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two groups. They will complete study assessments at the beginning of the study and after 12 weeks. Women in the ASK exercise programme group will complete three 60-minute exercise sessions per week for 12 weeks, supported by a mobile app and wearable device. Women in the standard postnatal care group will continue to receive usual postnatal care.