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NCT Number: NCT06585865

Strength Training and Resveratrol

The main goal of this study is to find out if supplementing with resveratrol improves skeletal muscle adaptations to strengthening exercise (resistance training or strength training) in adults age 60+, and to determine whether circulating vehicles of inter-organ communication (extracellular vesicles) and their cargo might help explain those responses. The investigators will also examine whether resveratrol supplementation improves blood vessel function and cognitive function (brain health) in response to strength training.

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Key information

Conditions

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

Age range

60 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Department of Kinesiology & Sport Management, Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas, 79409, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Danielle E Levitt, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

806-834-1830

About this study

After screening and providing informed consent, participants (healthy older adults, age 60+, minimally active) will be familiarized with the procedures and undergo pre-testing. After pre-testing, participants will be assigned to supplement with resveratrol or placebo (double-blinded) daily while undergoing a strength training intervention. Strength training will be performed 3x/week for two 6-week blocks, and each visit will be supervised by a member of the study team. An additional week of testing will follow each of the two 6-week blocks.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 60+
  • Minimally active (less than 1 hour of structured exercise/week other than walking)
  • No resistance training for the previous 6 months
  • Not currently taking resveratrol supplements
  • Stable medication, supplement, dietary, and physical activity regimens for the previous 3 months and no plans to change throughout the study period
  • Body mass at least 110 lbs

Exclusion criteria

  • Medical complications that could increase risk during exercise (e.g., cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, type 1 or 2 diabetes, orthopedic contraindication to exercise, kidney disease, etc.)
  • Cannabis or nicotine use
  • Consume more than 7 alcohol-containing beverages per week

Treatment and study plan

Resistance training

Behavioral

After pre-testing, participants will perform full-body strength training three times per week for two 6-week blocks. The acute program variables (sets, repetitions, training frequency) will follow a non-linear periodized, progressive design consisting of muti-joint and single-joint exercises. Exercise stress will be varied by using different exercises and loads. The two training blocks will be separated by a mid-intervention testing week, allowing for the study team to monitor participants' progress, communicate progress to participants to promote adherence, and adjust target loads as appropriate for the second half of the intervention. An additional testing week will follow the second 6-week block.

Other names: Strength training

Resveratrol 500 mg oral once daily.

Dietary Supplement

Participants will be randomized to consume resveratrol (500 mg) daily for 14 weeks (two 6-week blocks of resistance training [supervised, full-body, 3 days/week] + one testing week [3 days] following each block) after the pre-testing period. Participants will be provided with 7 days' worth of supplements at a time in pre-filled pill boxes. Pill boxes will be refilled weekly and adherence monitored.

Placebo

Dietary Supplement

Participants will be randomized to consume placebo capsules (cellulose, visually identical to resveratrol capsules) daily for 14 weeks (two 6-week blocks of resistance training [supervised, full-body, 3 days/week] + one testing week [3 days] following each block) after the pre-testing period. Participants will be provided with 7 days' worth of supplements at a time in pre-filled pill boxes. Pill boxes will be refilled weekly and adherence monitored.

Primary outcomes

  1. Circulating extracellular vesicle microRNA profile

    Time frame: During pre-, mid-, and post-testing (each separated by about 6 weeks)

    Circulating extracellular vesicles will be isolated from plasma and their microRNA cargo will be sequenced.

  2. Muscle torque

    Time frame: During pre-, mid-, and post-testing (each separated by about 6 weeks)

    Participants will be instructed to try and straighten their leg, against resistance, as forcefully as possible and maximal torque of the quadriceps assessed using a dynamometer.

  3. Muscle fatigability

    Time frame: During pre-, mid-, and post-testing (each separated by about 6 weeks)

    Participants will perform 32 repetitions of knee extensions on a dynamometer and the change in torque from the beginning to the end will be used to indicate fatigability.

  4. Muscle strength

    Time frame: During pre-, mid-, and post-testing (each separated by about 6 weeks)

    Participants will perform submaximal testing to assess strength on key exercises included in the strength training protocol.

  5. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass index

    Time frame: During pre-, mid-, and post-testing (each separated by about 6 weeks)

    Assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Waist-to-hip ratio

    Time frame: During pre-, mid-, and post-testing (each separated by about 6 weeks)

    Waist and hip circumferences measured using measuring tape

  2. Vascular function

    Time frame: During pre-, mid-, and post-testing (each separated by about 6 weeks)

    Flow-mediated dilation

  3. Cognitive function

    Time frame: During pre-, mid-, and post-testing (each separated by about 6 weeks)

    Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS)

  4. Grip strength

    Time frame: During pre-, mid-, and post-testing (each separated by about 6 weeks)

    Handgrip dynamometry

  5. Lower body strength/endurance

    Time frame: During pre-, mid-, and post-testing (each separated by about 6 weeks)

    Chair stand test (30 seconds)

  6. Gait speed

    Time frame: During pre-, mid-, and post-testing (each separated by about 6 weeks)

    4-m walk test

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Danielle E Levitt, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

806-834-1830

Jacob A Mota, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

806-834-8772

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Texas Tech University

Other

Collaborators

  • National Strength and Conditioning Association

Registry information

Official study title

Resveratrol-mediated Changes in Extracellular Vesicle microRNA Cargo as a Novel Contributor to Resistance Training-induced Skeletal Muscle Adaptations in Older Adults

Acronym: STaR

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Sep 19, 2024
Registry last updated
Jul 7, 2026

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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