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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05580913

Auto-regulated Resistance-training for Older Adults

This research study is comparing the effect of traditional standardized, subjective auto-regulated, and objective auto-regulated resistance training on physiological adaptations and performance measures in adults aged 50 years or older. Traditional standardized resistance training involves prescribing resistance training as a percentage of an individual's one-repetition maximum (i.e., the maximal weight they can lift one time). Auto-regulated resistance training involves adjusting resistance training based on an individual's performance during the session. Subjective auto-regulation involves the resistance trainee providing a subjective rating of perceived exertion based on repetitions in reserve (on a scale from 1 - 10) to adjust the resistance training prescription. A rating of perceived exertion of 10 would mean that the resistance trainee believes that they have provided maximal effort and believes that they could not have performed an additional repetition during the set nor increased the load. Objective auto-regulation involves adjusting the resistance training prescription from a linear position transducer (a device that has a string that attaches to the barbell and provides a velocity value on each repetition). A slower velocity value means a higher perceived exertion and load used, whereas a faster velocity value means a lower perceived exertion and load used.

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Key information

Conditions

Sarcopenia Atrophy Muscular Atrophy Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Neuromuscular Manifestations Pathological Conditions, Anatomical Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

50 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Saskatchewan

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N5B2, Canada

About this study

Auto-regulated resistance training has emerged as a resistance training paradigm to individualize programming; however, it remains to be elucidated whether auto-regulated resistance training provides a greater benefit than traditional standardized resistance training on physiological adaptations and performance outcomes in older adults. Traditional resistance training involves prescription of intensity as a percentage of the maximal amount of weight an individual can lift (for example, a resistance of 70% of maximal strength is a weight equal to 70% of the maximal weight a person can lift one time. An individual with this prescription would lift this weight for a number of repetitions to failure; i.e. usually 8-10 repetitions). Auto-regulation can be done two ways: "Subjective" auto-regulation involves lifting a weight for a number of repetitions until the individual reaches a certain "rating of perceived exertion". The rating of perceived exertion is on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the most difficult or maximal exertion. For example, if one was prescribed a rating of perceived exertion of 8 they would lift a weight for a given number of repetitions until they believed they were at an 8/10 on the scale and had 2 repetitions left before failing. "Objective" auto-regulation involves lifting a weight for a given number of repetitions until a predetermined velocity of lifting is reached. For example, once someone starts to get fatigued while performing repeated lifting, the velocity of lifting will slow down. Once they have reached a critical slow velocity, the exercise would be stopped. There is some evidence that auto-regulation improves muscular strength to a greater extent than traditional resistance training in healthy populations.

The research design is a prospective randomized trial comparing three training protocols in 30 participants. Participants will be randomized into one of three groups (n = 10 each), with matching on baseline strength: traditional standardized, subjective auto-regulated, and objective auto-regulated. Training will be twice per week for 12 weeks. Measures include strength assessments, muscle size, and performance of functional tasks.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Males and females 50 years of age or greater

Exclusion criteria

  • Inability to safely perform squat and bench press exercises as determined by the Get Active Questionnaire

Treatment and study plan

Resistance training

Behavioral

12 weeks of resistance-training performed two times per week

Primary outcomes

  1. Change from baseline in bench press strength

    Time frame: baseline, 12 weeks

  2. Change from baseline in squat strength

    Time frame: baseline, 12 weeks

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change from baseline in muscle thickness

    Time frame: Baseline, 12 weeks

    Muscle thickness will be determined for the quadriceps, hamstrings, triceps, and pectoralis (males only)

  2. Change from baseline in knee extension strength

    Time frame: Baseline, 12 weeks

  3. Change from baseline for time to sit and stand from a chair five times

    Time frame: Baseline, 12 weeks

  4. Change from baseline in time to complete the "timed up and go" (TUG) test

    Time frame: Baseline, 12 weeks

    Time to stand from a chair, walk around a cone (3 meters) and sit back down in the chair

  5. Change from baseline in time to climb 10 stairs

    Time frame: Baseline, 12 weeks

  6. Change from baseline in time to walk 10 meters

    Time frame: Baseline, 12 weeks

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Saskatchewan

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Auto-regulated Resistance-training for Improving Strength in Older Adults

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2023
Study completion
2023
First posted
Oct 14, 2022
Registry last updated
May 29, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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