If you’re trying to increase your physical activity, there are two Pitt research projects that could use your help.

MoTrPAC

The Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium, also known as the MoTrPAC research study, is looking at what actually is happening deep within the body when physical activity increases, or how the molecular structure of the body changes to improve and preserve health.

Having a better understanding of how the body changes with physical activity will help researchers and clinicians to better prescribe and tailor exercise programming in the future. This research program by Pitt’s Healthy Lifestyle Institute is the largest targeted National Institutes of Health investment aimed at understanding how physical activity improves health and prevents disease.

The study needs people who are 18 years and older, do not exercise regularly and have no history of diabetes or heart disease.

Volunteers will have the opportunity to exercise with a personal trainer for 12 weeks and will be compensated for their participation in the study.

To get involved with the MoTrPAC research study call 412-383-4055 or visit motrpac.org/join

Sitting and blood pressure

Pitt researchers in the School of Education are studying whether less sitting can reduce blood pressure and improve vascular health.

Participants should be 21 to 65 years old, mostly sedentary at work and have elevated blood pressure greater than or equal to 120/80, but do not use blood pressure medication

Half of the eligible participants will be assigned to receive a three-month intervention and the other half will be assigned to a control group, with the choice of receiving the intervention at the end of the study.

Participants completing the study will receive a Fitbit and can choose either $200 or a sit-stand desk attachment to keep at the end of the study.

To see if you qualify, please go to the study’s website, email RESETBP@pitt.edu or call 412-383-4750 and ask about the RESET BP Trial.