FAXAge protocol: fasting and exercise to slow aging in adults 65 and over
This abstract describes a planned 52-week randomized trial in 240 healthy adults aged 65 and over, comparing combined cardio and strength training, time-restricted feeding, both together, or control, with DNA-methylation age as the primary outcome. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The FAXAge trial is planned as a 52-week four-armed randomized controlled trial with 240 healthy adults aged 65 and over assigned to exercise, time-restricted feeding, both, or control. [1]
The primary outcome is DNA-methylation age, with secondary measures including RNA-sequencing, metabolomics, inflammatory markers, microbiome analysis, and cognitive and physical measures. [1]
The stated aim is to learn 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 (abstract).
- Population / context
- 240 healthy adults aged 65 and over (planned).
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Publication status
- Preprint · peer-review status not confirmed
- Original publication
- March 2, 2026
Planned four-arm trial in adults 65 and over
The abstract presents a study protocol, not results. In this 52-week four-armed randomized controlled trial, 240 healthy adults aged 65 and over are to be allocated to four groups: combined cardio and strength training (EXE), time-restricted feeding (TRF), combined EXE and TRF, or control. The trial is registered as NCT07207044. The authors note that the combined effect of exercise and TRF on aging biomarkers remains largely unexplored.
Supporting source [1]
DNA-methylation age as primary outcome
The primary outcome measure is DNA-methylation age. Secondary measures include RNA-sequencing, metabolomics, inflammatory markers, microbiome analysis, and cognitive and physical measures. Assessments are planned at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months, with follow-ups at 2, 5 and 10 years. The stated aim is to learn whether TRF, EXE, or a combination can slow or reverse biological aging in older adults.
Supporting source [1]
Protocol only: no outcomes reported yet
The abstract reports the design and planned measures but no results, so nothing is known yet about effects on DNA-methylation age or any secondary measure. The abstract mentions that exercise has shown protective effects against many age-associated diseases and that TRF has shown metabolic benefits in preclinical models; these are background statements, not findings of this trial. Whether the interventions slow or reverse biological aging remains an open question the trial is designed to examine.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
This is an abstract of a study protocol; no results are reported. The full text was not reviewed. Whether the interventions affect DNA-methylation age or other outcomes is not yet known.
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 · March 2, 2026