Exercise Training and Blood Vessel Health in People With Anxiety or PTSD

Plain-English translation of NCT04916340 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated April 2026 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

This research is exploring whether exercise—specifically weight training—can help improve how well blood vessels work in people living with anxiety disorders or PTSD. You'll complete 10 weeks of supervised resistance training (either heavier or moderate weights) while researchers measure your blood vessel health through several visits. The study also tests whether antioxidant pills have any effect on blood vessel function.

People with anxiety disorders and PTSD often have blood vessel problems that increase their risk of heart disease, but doctors don't have many proven treatments yet. This trial is testing whether exercise training could be a safe, natural way to help fix these blood vessel problems.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are generally healthy with no serious heart, lung, or metabolic disease
you have been diagnosed with PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, or are part of a healthy control group
you are willing to do resistance training 3–5 days per week for 10 weeks
you can speak and read English well enough to understand the study procedures
you are not pregnant and not taking medications that affect heart function

You likely don't qualify if…

you are a current smoker or recently quit smoking
you are taking medications that influence how your heart and blood vessels work
you use illicit drugs or drink alcohol heavily
you are pregnant
you are severely restricting calories or have known vitamin or mineral deficiencies

What participation looks like

You'll visit the lab 7 times over 14 weeks. The first visit takes less than an hour and includes basic measurements and a blood draw. Visits 2, 3, 5, and 6 (each 2–3 hours) involve special tests to measure how well your blood vessels are working—during two of these visits you'll take antioxidant pills, and during two you'll take a placebo. In between, you'll complete 10 weeks of supervised weight training, 3–5 days per week, using either heavier weights or moderate weights depending on your group assignment. Two additional visits test your strength and endurance before and after the training program.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 5, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

United States

Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia