The harnessing of the molecular mechanism(s) of muscle memory in trans
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The harnessing of the molecular mechanism(s) of muscle memory in trans women
IRAS ID
264762
Contact name
Yannis Pitsiladis
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Brighton
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
The primary aim of the proposed research is to investigate the effect of “muscle memory” in transgender athletes. Currently no studies have investigated how muscle fibre cytoarchitecture changes in transgender athletes, particularly those trans female athletes who have experienced a high testosterone level earlier in their life.
20 young trans women participants aged 18-35 years will be recruited. These 20 women are NHS patients.
Data collection will be conducted at the FIMS (International Federation of Sports Medicine) Reference Collaborating Centre of Sports Medicine for Anti-Doping Research resided within the School of Sport and Service Management, University of Brighton in collaboration with the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust.
Participants will be required to report to the University of Brighton laboratory (based at Eastbourne) on different occasions to undertake sample collection procedures. The laboratory will be equipped and presented as a gender neutral setting rather than one seemingly devoted to investigating male athletic performance. On each visit, the primary researchers will obtain data on anthropometry, muscle strength and morphology. Muscle biopsies will be taken from the upper part of the trapezius. In addition, blood, urine and saliva will also be collected from all subjects and biobanked.
REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/0776
Date of REC Opinion
4 Sep 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion