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The Effects of Heavier- and Lighter-load Resistance Training on Arm and Leg Muscle Mass in Young Adult Women (FHALL)

Primary Purpose

Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy

Status
Completed
Phase
Not Applicable
Locations
Canada
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
Higher-load resistance training
Lower-load resistance training
Sponsored by
University of British Columbia
About
Eligibility
Locations
Arms
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional basic science trial for Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy focused on measuring Skeletal Muscle, Hypertrophy, Strength, Muscle Endurance

Eligibility Criteria

18 Years - 30 Years (Adult)FemaleAccepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Female
  2. 18-30 years of age
  3. Can fluently read and write in English
  4. Able to commit to three training sessions per week for a continuous 10-week period as well as testing one week before and one week after this 10-week training period
  5. All "No" answers on the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology Get Active questionnaire or doctors' approval to participate

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Allergic to dairy products or are lactose-intolerant (participants will be supplemented with whey protein twice daily for the 10-week training period)
  2. Allergic to any of the following ingredients which are present in the whey protein concentrate supplement: Bos taurus - Milk, Cocoa, Natural and Artificial Flavours, Xanthan Gum, Sucralose, Non-genetically modified organism Sunflower Lecithin
  3. Any major uncontrolled cardiovascular, muscular, metabolic, and/or neurological disorders
  4. Lung or kidney disease
  5. Medical conditions impacting on their ability to undertake strenuous physical activity
  6. Regular use of any mental health medications that may lead to excessive weight gain (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, second generation antipsychotics, antiepileptic drugs)
  7. Participated in consistent resistance exercise training more than twice per month in the previous 12 months
  8. Participated in consistent vigorous aerobic training more than twice per week in the previous 12 months
  9. Significant gain or loss of body mass in the past 6 months (greater than 2 kg)
  10. Current smoker
  11. BMI less than 18 or over 30

Sites / Locations

  • The University of British Columbia

Arms of the Study

Arm 1

Arm 2

Arm Type

Active Comparator

Active Comparator

Arm Label

Higher-load limbs

Lower-load limbs

Arm Description

This treatment arm will have participants performing resistance training with loads of ~80% of an individuals one-repetition maximum. Each participant will have one arm and one leg assigned to this condition.

This treatment arm will have participants performing resistance training with loads of ~30% of an individuals one-repetition maximum. Each participant will have one arm and one leg assigned to this condition.

Outcomes

Primary Outcome Measures

Change in upper- and lower-body skeletal muscle mass between weeks 1 and 12
The total skeletal muscle mass measured in each individual arm and leg quantified using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scanning

Secondary Outcome Measures

Change in unilateral dumbbell bicep preacher curl one repetition maximum between weeks 1 and 12
The maximum amount of weight that an individual can move for one full repetition during the unilateral dumbbell bicep preacher curl exercise
Change in unilateral knee extension one repetition maximum between weeks 1 and 12
The maximum amount of weight that an individual can move for one full repetition during the unilateral knee extension exercise
Change in unilateral dumbbell bicep preacher curl relative muscle endurance between weeks 1 and 12
The maximum number of repetitions that can be completed with 30% and 80% of the individuals current one repetition maximum for the unilateral dumbbell bicep preacher curl exercise
Change in unilateral dumbbell bicep preacher curl absolute muscle endurance between weeks 1 and 12
The maximum number of repetitions that can be completed with 30% and 80% of the individuals baseline one repetition maximum for the unilateral dumbbell bicep preacher curl exercise
Change in unilateral knee extension relative muscle endurance between weeks 1 and 12
The maximum number of repetitions that can be completed with 30% and 80% of the individuals current one repetition maximum for the unilateral knee extension exercise
Change in unilateral knee extension absolute muscle endurance between weeks 1 and 12
The maximum number of repetitions that can be completed with 30% and 80% of the individuals baseline one repetition maximum for the unilateral knee extension exercise
Change in Vastus Lateralis and Biceps Brachii Cross Sectional Area between weeks 1 and 12
The cross sectional area of the vastus lateralis and biceps brachii muscles measured using ultrasonography
Change in Vastus Lateralis and Biceps Brachii Muscle Thickness between weeks 1 and 12
The thickness of the vastus lateralis and biceps brachii muscles measured using ultrasonography
Change in Vastus Lateralis Pennation Angle between weeks 1 and 12
The pennation angle of the vastus lateralis muscle fibers measured using ultrasonography
Change in Vastus Lateralis Fascicle Length between weeks 1 and 12
The length of the fascicles of the vastus lateralis muscle measured using ultrasonography

Full Information

First Posted
September 4, 2020
Last Updated
September 27, 2021
Sponsor
University of British Columbia
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1. Study Identification

Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT04547972
Brief Title
The Effects of Heavier- and Lighter-load Resistance Training on Arm and Leg Muscle Mass in Young Adult Women
Acronym
FHALL
Official Title
The Effects of Higher- And Lower-Load Resistance Exercise Training on Leg and Arm Skeletal Muscle Mass in Healthy Young Adult Females
Study Type
Interventional

2. Study Status

Record Verification Date
September 2021
Overall Recruitment Status
Completed
Study Start Date
January 5, 2021 (Actual)
Primary Completion Date
August 12, 2021 (Actual)
Study Completion Date
August 12, 2021 (Actual)

3. Sponsor/Collaborators

Responsible Party, by Official Title
Principal Investigator
Name of the Sponsor
University of British Columbia

4. Oversight

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product
No
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product
No
Data Monitoring Committee
No

5. Study Description

Brief Summary
When you perform weightlifting, your body makes new proteins within your muscle. These new proteins can increase the size of the fibers within your muscle to make your muscle larger, a process called hypertrophy. The common convention surrounding gains in muscle mass and strength are that higher-loads (i.e. heavier weights) used for fewer repetitions are better for increasing strength and lower-loads (i.e. lighter weights) used for higher repetitions are better for increasing muscle mass. However, recent research has found that when higher- and lower-loads are used when participants exercise until volitional fatigue (i.e. cannot perform another repetition), muscle mass and strength increases are similar regardless of using a higher- or lower-load. Many of these studies have examined this effect in males with fewer studies examining the effects of higher- and lower-load training in females when assessing changes in muscle mass, strength, and muscle endurance. Further, it has been shown that there is substantial individual variation in response to resistance exercise training where individuals can be broadly categorized as higher- or lower-responders to resistance exercise training. This study aims to explore how the muscle mass, strength, and muscle endurance of females are impacted by both higher- and lower-loads while also exploring how individuals may respond to the training interventions.
Detailed Description
The study will be a total of 12 weeks in total duration. Weeks 1 and 12 will include testing assessments of skeletal muscle mass, muscle strength, and muscle endurance. Weeks 2-11 will be comprised of the resistance training intervention wherein participants will train thrice weekly at the Chan Gunn Pavilion research laboratory at the University of British Columbia. Resistance training sessions will include unilateral knee extensions and unilateral dumbbell bicep preacher curls with each being performed for three sets. Limbs assigned to train with higher-loads will perform between 8-12 repetitions per set and limbs assigned to train with lower-loads will perform between 20-25 repetitions per set. Participants will rest 90 seconds between sets and 120 seconds between exercises. Each exercise will be performed in its entirety before moving on to the next. Participants will also be supplemented with whey protein which will be ingested twice daily during the resistance training phase.

6. Conditions and Keywords

Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy
Keywords
Skeletal Muscle, Hypertrophy, Strength, Muscle Endurance

7. Study Design

Primary Purpose
Basic Science
Study Phase
Not Applicable
Interventional Study Model
Parallel Assignment
Model Description
A within participant design will be used wherein each participant will be assigned to both training conditions. One arm and one leg will train with higher-loads and one arm and one leg will train with lower-loads; limb allocation will be randomized.
Masking
None (Open Label)
Allocation
Randomized
Enrollment
16 (Actual)

8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

Arm Title
Higher-load limbs
Arm Type
Active Comparator
Arm Description
This treatment arm will have participants performing resistance training with loads of ~80% of an individuals one-repetition maximum. Each participant will have one arm and one leg assigned to this condition.
Arm Title
Lower-load limbs
Arm Type
Active Comparator
Arm Description
This treatment arm will have participants performing resistance training with loads of ~30% of an individuals one-repetition maximum. Each participant will have one arm and one leg assigned to this condition.
Intervention Type
Other
Intervention Name(s)
Higher-load resistance training
Intervention Description
This intervention will have one arm and one leg of each participant training with ~80% of their one repetition maximum
Intervention Type
Other
Intervention Name(s)
Lower-load resistance training
Intervention Description
This intervention will have one arm and one leg of each participant training with ~30% of their one repetition maximum
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Change in upper- and lower-body skeletal muscle mass between weeks 1 and 12
Description
The total skeletal muscle mass measured in each individual arm and leg quantified using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scanning
Time Frame
Weeks 1 and 12
Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Change in unilateral dumbbell bicep preacher curl one repetition maximum between weeks 1 and 12
Description
The maximum amount of weight that an individual can move for one full repetition during the unilateral dumbbell bicep preacher curl exercise
Time Frame
Weeks 1 and 12
Title
Change in unilateral knee extension one repetition maximum between weeks 1 and 12
Description
The maximum amount of weight that an individual can move for one full repetition during the unilateral knee extension exercise
Time Frame
Weeks 1 and 12
Title
Change in unilateral dumbbell bicep preacher curl relative muscle endurance between weeks 1 and 12
Description
The maximum number of repetitions that can be completed with 30% and 80% of the individuals current one repetition maximum for the unilateral dumbbell bicep preacher curl exercise
Time Frame
Weeks 1 and 12
Title
Change in unilateral dumbbell bicep preacher curl absolute muscle endurance between weeks 1 and 12
Description
The maximum number of repetitions that can be completed with 30% and 80% of the individuals baseline one repetition maximum for the unilateral dumbbell bicep preacher curl exercise
Time Frame
Weeks 1 and 12
Title
Change in unilateral knee extension relative muscle endurance between weeks 1 and 12
Description
The maximum number of repetitions that can be completed with 30% and 80% of the individuals current one repetition maximum for the unilateral knee extension exercise
Time Frame
Weeks 1 and 12
Title
Change in unilateral knee extension absolute muscle endurance between weeks 1 and 12
Description
The maximum number of repetitions that can be completed with 30% and 80% of the individuals baseline one repetition maximum for the unilateral knee extension exercise
Time Frame
Weeks 1 and 12
Title
Change in Vastus Lateralis and Biceps Brachii Cross Sectional Area between weeks 1 and 12
Description
The cross sectional area of the vastus lateralis and biceps brachii muscles measured using ultrasonography
Time Frame
Weeks 1 and 12
Title
Change in Vastus Lateralis and Biceps Brachii Muscle Thickness between weeks 1 and 12
Description
The thickness of the vastus lateralis and biceps brachii muscles measured using ultrasonography
Time Frame
Weeks 1 and 12
Title
Change in Vastus Lateralis Pennation Angle between weeks 1 and 12
Description
The pennation angle of the vastus lateralis muscle fibers measured using ultrasonography
Time Frame
Weeks 1 and 12
Title
Change in Vastus Lateralis Fascicle Length between weeks 1 and 12
Description
The length of the fascicles of the vastus lateralis muscle measured using ultrasonography
Time Frame
Weeks 1 and 12

10. Eligibility

Sex
Female
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
18 Years
Maximum Age & Unit of Time
30 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Female 18-30 years of age Can fluently read and write in English Able to commit to three training sessions per week for a continuous 10-week period as well as testing one week before and one week after this 10-week training period All "No" answers on the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology Get Active questionnaire or doctors' approval to participate Exclusion Criteria: Allergic to dairy products or are lactose-intolerant (participants will be supplemented with whey protein twice daily for the 10-week training period) Allergic to any of the following ingredients which are present in the whey protein concentrate supplement: Bos taurus - Milk, Cocoa, Natural and Artificial Flavours, Xanthan Gum, Sucralose, Non-genetically modified organism Sunflower Lecithin Any major uncontrolled cardiovascular, muscular, metabolic, and/or neurological disorders Lung or kidney disease Medical conditions impacting on their ability to undertake strenuous physical activity Regular use of any mental health medications that may lead to excessive weight gain (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, second generation antipsychotics, antiepileptic drugs) Participated in consistent resistance exercise training more than twice per month in the previous 12 months Participated in consistent vigorous aerobic training more than twice per week in the previous 12 months Significant gain or loss of body mass in the past 6 months (greater than 2 kg) Current smoker BMI less than 18 or over 30
Overall Study Officials:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Cameron J Mitchell, PhD
Organizational Affiliation
University of British Columbia
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
Facility Information:
Facility Name
The University of British Columbia
City
Vancouver
State/Province
British Columbia
ZIP/Postal Code
V6T 1Z3
Country
Canada

12. IPD Sharing Statement

Plan to Share IPD
No
IPD Sharing Plan Description
A plan has not yet been made to make individual participant data available to other researchers
Citations:
PubMed Identifier
12436270
Citation
Campos GE, Luecke TJ, Wendeln HK, Toma K, Hagerman FC, Murray TF, Ragg KE, Ratamess NA, Kraemer WJ, Staron RS. Muscular adaptations in response to three different resistance-training regimens: specificity of repetition maximum training zones. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2002 Nov;88(1-2):50-60. doi: 10.1007/s00421-002-0681-6. Epub 2002 Aug 15.
Results Reference
background
PubMed Identifier
28834797
Citation
Schoenfeld BJ, Grgic J, Ogborn D, Krieger JW. Strength and Hypertrophy Adaptations Between Low- vs. High-Load Resistance Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Strength Cond Res. 2017 Dec;31(12):3508-3523. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002200.
Results Reference
background
PubMed Identifier
22518835
Citation
Mitchell CJ, Churchward-Venne TA, West DW, Burd NA, Breen L, Baker SK, Phillips SM. Resistance exercise load does not determine training-mediated hypertrophic gains in young men. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2012 Jul;113(1):71-7. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00307.2012. Epub 2012 Apr 19.
Results Reference
background
PubMed Identifier
32218059
Citation
Roberts BM, Nuckols G, Krieger JW. Sex Differences in Resistance Training: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Strength Cond Res. 2020 May;34(5):1448-1460. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003521.
Results Reference
background
PubMed Identifier
30640303
Citation
Franco CMC, Carneiro MADS, Alves LTH, Junior GNO, de Sousa JFR, Orsatti FL. Lower-Load is More Effective Than Higher-Load Resistance Training in Increasing Muscle Mass in Young Women. J Strength Cond Res. 2019 Jul;33 Suppl 1:S152-S158. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002970.
Results Reference
background
PubMed Identifier
36027601
Citation
Fliss MD, Stevenson J, Mardan-Dezfouli S, Li DCW, Mitchell CJ. Higher- and lower-load resistance exercise training induce load-specific local muscle endurance changes in young women: a randomised trial. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2022 Dec 1;47(12):1143-1159. doi: 10.1139/apnm-2022-0263. Epub 2022 Aug 26.
Results Reference
derived

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The Effects of Heavier- and Lighter-load Resistance Training on Arm and Leg Muscle Mass in Young Adult Women

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