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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02179307

Individual Response to Different Volumes of Resistance Training

The literature is not clear as to which training volume to employ during initial phases of resistance training programs to ensure optimal muscular adaptations. The purpose of this study is therefore to compare effects of strength training with low versus moderate volume on muscular function and hypertrophy in previously untrained, healthy individuals. Furthermore, the investigators will relate individual variation in responses to proxy markers of individual training state, such as baseline muscular function and muscle fiber type.

The study will include 25 women and 25 men and will consist of a 12-week resistance training protocol. Each study participant will act as their own control, performing both the low- (1-set) and the moderate-volume (3-sets) protocol, allocated to either the dominant or non-dominant leg, in a stratified and randomized fashion.

Primary outcome measures are thigh muscle cross section area and unilateral knee extension strength. Additionally, muscle fiber type composition will be evaluated as well as additional parameters of muscular function.

The primary hypothesis is that low-volume protocols will be beneficial for individuals with glycolytic muscle phenotypes, whereas the opposite will be true for individuals with more aerobic phenotypes.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy Behavior Motor Activity

Age range

18 year–40 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Lillehammer University College

Lillehammer, Norway

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Healthy
  • Non-smoking
  • Able to tolerate resistance exercise training

Exclusion criteria

  • Presence or history of cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine or neuromuscular disease
  • Diagnosed mental health disorder
  • Intolerance to local anesthetic
  • No experience with exercise training
  • Performing regular resistance training (more than 1 session per week during last 12 months)
  • Impaired strength/ neuromuscular function due to previous injury
  • Recurrent pain in lower back, knee or shoulders
  • Taking prescribed medication that may affect outcome of training intervention

Treatment and study plan

12-week progressive strength training protocol

Behavioral

Every study participant will complete 12 weeks of progressive strength training with one leg performing 1-set per exercise per session and the contralateral leg performing 3-sets per exercise per session. Allocation of dominant/non-dominant leg to either 1- or 3-set protocol will be done in a stratified, randomized fashion (stratified with regard to sex and baseline strength).

Primary outcomes

  1. Thigh muscle cross-sectional area

    Time frame: Week 0 (baseline) and 12 (post training intervention)

    Changes in muscle cross sectional area of each thigh from baseline to post intervention, assessed by MRI.

  2. Unilateral knee-extension isometric strength

    Time frame: Week 0 (baseline), 2, 5, 9 (during intervention) and 12 (after training intervention)

    Time course changes in maximum knee extensor, isometric strength evaluated at 120° knee angle (180° fully extended).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Muscle strength

    Time frame: Week 0 (baseline), 2, 5, 9 (during intervention) and 12 (after training intervention)

    Time course changes in maximum isoinertial strength defined by one-repetition maximum in leg press, knee extension, knee flexion, and bench press.

  2. Knee extensors and flexors force-velocity relationship

    Time frame: Week 0 (baseline), 2, 5, 9 (during intervention) and 12 (after training intervention)

    Time course changes in torque measured during maximal voluntary isokinetic contraction at 60°, 120° and 240° ∙ sec-1.

  3. Blood hormonal profiles

    Time frame: Week 0 (baseline), 2 and 12 (post training intervention)

    Resting (week 0, 2 and 12) and acutely exercise-induced (week 2) hormonal profiles (testosterone, insulin-like growth factor 1, growth hormone and cortisol) determined in serum from venous blood samples.

  4. Muscle fiber cross-sectional area

    Time frame: Week 0 (baseline), 2 and 12 (post training intervention)

    Changes in muscle fiber cross-sectional area assessed by immunohistochemistry from muscle biopsy. Determined from muscle biopsy samples (Vastus lateralis).

  5. Protein expression

    Time frame: Week 0 (baseline), 2 and 12 (post training intervention)

    Changes in relative abundance of contractile protein isoforms (myosin heavy chain). Modification of proteins related to muscle hypertrophy in relation to an acute exercise session (assessed during week 2 of the intervention). Determined from muscle biopsy samples (Vastus lateralis).

  6. Gene expression

    Time frame: Week 0 (baseline), 2 and 12 (post training intervention)

    Changes in gene expression related to skeletal muscle hypertrophy and structural phenotype measured in steady state conditions (biopsy sampled in resting conditions, week 0, 2 and 12) and in relation to acute exercise (biopsy sampled 1-h after strength exercise, week 2). Determined from muscle biopsy samples (Vastus lateralis).

Other outcomes

  1. Body composition changes

    Time frame: Week 0 (baseline) and 12 (post training intervention)

    Changes in body compositions (lean mass and fat mass) from prior intervention to after intervention assessed by dual x-ray absorptiometry scan.

  2. Habitual physical activity

    Time frame: Week 0

    Self-reported prior habitual physical activity assessed by questionnaire and interview before training intervention

  3. Daily nutrient intake

    Time frame: Week 6

    Daily nutrient intake assessed by a 4-day food intake registration.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences

Other

Collaborators

  • Revmatismesykehuset AS
  • Sykehuset Innlandet HF

Registry information

Official study title

Determinants of Intra-individual Variation in Adaptability to Resistance Training of Different Volumes

Important dates

Study start
2014
Primary completion
2015
Study completion
2015
First posted
Jul 1, 2014
Registry last updated
Nov 6, 2015

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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