FAXAge protocol: fasting and exercise tested against aging clocks in adults 65+
This protocol plans a 52-week randomized trial in 240 healthy adults aged 65 and above, comparing combined cardio and strength training, time-restricted feeding, both together, or control, with DNA methylation aging pace as the primary outcome. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The protocol plans to allocate 240 healthy adults aged 65 and above to four groups: combined cardio and strength training, time-restricted feeding, both together, or control. [1]
The primary outcome is Dunedin Pace of Aging DNA methylation age, with secondary measures including RNA-sequencing, metabolomics, inflammatory markers, microbiome analysis, and cognitive and physical measures. [1]
The authors state the study will provide insights into whether time-restricted feeding, exercise, or a combination can slow or reverse biological aging in older adults. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
- Population / context
- 240 healthy adults aged 65 and above (planned).
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- June 29, 2026
Planned four-arm trial in adults 65 and older
The FAXAge protocol describes a 52-week four-armed randomized controlled trial (NCT07207044). It plans to allocate 240 healthy adults aged 65 and above to four groups: combined cardio and strength training (EXE), time-restricted feeding (TRF), combined EXE and TRF, or control. Assessments are planned at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months, with follow-ups at 2, 5 and 10 years. The authors note that the combined effect of exercise and TRF on aging biomarkers remains largely unexplored.
Supporting source [1]
Primary outcome is DNA methylation aging pace
The primary outcome measure is the Dunedin Pace of Aging DNA methylation age. Secondary measures include RNA-sequencing, metabolomics, inflammatory markers, microbiome analysis, and cognitive and physical measures. The protocol states that DNA methylation-based clocks have shown promise as tools to assess whether interventions may impact the rate of biological aging. It also notes that exercise has shown protective effects against many age-associated diseases, while TRF has shown metabolic benefits in preclinical models.
Supporting source [1]
Protocol only: no results yet reported
This is a study protocol, so it reports planned design rather than outcomes. The abstract does not report whether any intervention slowed or reversed biological aging; the authors say the study will provide insights into whether TRF, EXE, or a combination can slow or reverse biological aging in older adults. The abstract was reviewed; the full text was not reviewed.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. This is a study protocol, so no results on aging outcomes are reported.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Fals EB, Springborg EC, Berthelsen AB, Nyeman-Nielsen J, Larsen S, Scheibye-Knudsen M. · europepmc.org · June 29, 2026