HIPL Research Projects

Volunteers are needed for a study examining how ketone intake influences health. Participants must be:

•  50 - 75 years of age
• Systolic Blood pressure <160mmHg
• Diastolic Blood Pressure <100mmHg
• Not diabetic
• Not taking medications that influence the study results
• Not have severe obesity (BMI <35kg/m2)
• Non-smokers
• Not pregnant
• Without any major medical problems
• Not changed dietary pattern in last month
• Not vegetarian or vegan

This study will require 15 visits to the lab, consumption of a dietary drink or placebo three times daily for two weeks and a time commitment of approximately 27 hours.

If you are on a diuretic or are taking medications such as aspirin, you are not eligible for this study.

You will receive information on your blood pressure, cholesterol, and other health information. You may receive up $250 to compensate you for your time.

If you meet the above requirements and are interested in participating in this research study, please contact the Human Integrative Physiology Laboratory at Virginia Tech by email: physiolabvt@gmail.com.

Volunteers needed for a study examining how choline intake influences health.

Participants must be:

• 18-65 years of age
• Not taking medications that influence the study results
• Not have severe obesity
• Non-smokers
• Not pregnant
• Without any major medical problems
• Without any known choline allergies
• Fully vaccinated against COVID-19

This study will require five visits to the lab, wearing a continuous glucose monitor for four days in total, consumption of a supplement or placebo at four time points, and a time commitment of approximately 12 hours.   

If you are on a diuretic or are taking medications such as aspirin, antibiotics, prebiotics, and probiotics, you are not eligible for this study.

You will receive information on your blood pressure, cholesterol, and other health information.  You may receive up $100 to compensate you for your time.  You will receive $20 for completing session 2, session 3, and session 4. After completing session 5, you will receive $40. There is no compensation for completing the first session.

If you meet the above requirements and are interested in participating in this research study, please contact the Human Integrative Physiology Laboratory at Virginia Tech by email vthipl@vt.edu or by phone 540-231-0923.

Individuals of all physical activity levels are needed for a study examining the relationship between physical activity level and the total number of calories expended each day.

Participants must be:

• 18-60 years of age
• Vaccinated for Covid-19 (both doses for Moderna or Pfizer, single dose for J&J)
• Stable body weight over the past year (± 5lb)
• Free of cardiovascular (e.g., heart disease), lung, metabolic (e.g., diabetes or thyroid), kidney disease or cancer
• Sedentary or regular exerciser
• No recent injury or other reason that has changed your physical activity/exercise

This study will require one virtual meeting and two visits to the lab, and a time commitment of approximately six hours. The study involvement includes providing a fasting blood sample, a pregnancy test if female, undergoing measurements of body fat, physical activity and fitness level as well as collecting your urine for 14 days after drinking a stable isotope or different form of water to measure how many calories you expend in an average day. To assess your physical activity, you will wear an activity tracker around your waist (except while showering, swimming, or sleeping) or on your thigh (at all times) for two weeks while you go about your usual daily activities.

You will receive information on your body composition, aerobic capacity, and other health information.

You will be entered in a drawing to compensate you for your time and effort with a one in five chance of being selected to receive $25 in the form of cash.

If you meet the above requirements and are interested in participating in this research study, please contact the Human Integrative Physiology Laboratory at Virginia Tech by email vtultrahipl@gmail.com.

IRB #21-567

Endurance athletes and ultra-endurance athletes needed for a study examining the relationship between physical activity and total number of calories expended each day.

Participants must be:

• 18-60 years of age
• Vaccinated for Covid-19 (both doses for Moderna or Pfizer, single dose for J&J)
• Stable body weight over the past year (±5 lb)
• Free of cardiovascular (e.g., heart disease),lung, metabolic (e.g., diabetes or thyroid),  kidney disease or cancer
• Endurance athlete who has competed in marathons, ultra-marathons or Ironman triathlons in the past year
• Sustained a high level of training for the past 6 months.
• No recent injuries or other reasons that have changed your training volume.

This study will require one virtual meeting and two visits to the lab, and a time commitment of approximately 6 hours. The study involvement includes providing a fasting blood sample, a pregnancy test if female, undergoing measurements of body fat, physical activity and fitness level as well as collecting your urine for 14 days after drinking a stable isotope or different form of water to measure how many calories you expend in an average day. To assess your physical activity, you will wear an activity tracker around your waist (except while showering, swimming, or sleeping) or on your thigh (at all times) for two weeks while you go about your usual daily activities.

You will receive information on your body composition, aerobic capacity, and other health information.

You will be entered in a drawing to compensate you for your time and effort with a one in five chance of being selected to receive $25 in the form of cash.

If you meet the above requirements and are interested in participating in this research study, please contact the Human Integrative Physiology Laboratory at Virginia Tech by email at vtultrahipl@gmail.com.

IRB #21-567