CHAMP Project > Laboratory Projects

The Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project (CHAMP)

Men were invited to participate in CHAMP if they were aged 70 years or older and lived in the community in one of three Local Government Areas near Concord Hospital: Burwood, Canada Bay and Strathfield. Fifty four percent of the men we contacted agreed to participate (1705 men) and 80% (1367 men) returned for 2-year follow-up assessments.

The study involves questionnaires and a wide range of tests. Prior to attending the study clinic in the Medical Centre at Concord Hospital, subjects complete a detailed questionnaire. They then spend two to three hours at the study clinic, where a series of tests is done, including dual energy x-ray densitometry (DEXA) to measure bone, fat and lean mass; the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination; tests of muscle strength, balance and gait; and uroflowmetry and measurement of post-void residual urines. The 5-year assessment includes a detailed diet history. Blood tests include assays for reproductive hormones, vitamin D, PTH, and markers of bone turnover, and measurement of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA). DNA has been extracted.