Individual Response to Different Volumes of Resistance Training

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

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

Conditions
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Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: 12-week progressive strength training protocol


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Arm label 1-Set, 3-Set<br>12-week progressive strength training protocol of different volumes | Behavioral: 12-week progressive strength training protocol<br>* 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).<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Thigh muscle cross-sectional area | Changes in muscle cross sectional area of each thigh from baseline to post intervention, assessed by MRI. | Week 0 (baseline) and 12 (post training intervention) | 
| Unilateral knee-extension isometric strength | Time course changes in maximum knee extensor, isometric strength evaluated at 120° knee angle (180° fully extended). | Week 0 (baseline), 2, 5, 9 (during intervention) and 12 (after training intervention) | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Muscle strength | Time course changes in maximum isoinertial strength defined by one-repetition maximum in leg press, knee extension, knee flexion, and bench press. | Week 0 (baseline), 2, 5, 9 (during intervention) and 12 (after training intervention) | 
| Knee extensors and flexors force-velocity relationship | Time course changes in torque measured during maximal voluntary isokinetic contraction at 60°, 120° and 240° ∙ sec-1. | Week 0 (baseline), 2, 5, 9 (during intervention) and 12 (after training intervention) | 
| Blood hormonal profiles | 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. | Week 0 (baseline), 2 and 12 (post training intervention) | 
| Muscle fiber cross-sectional area | Changes in muscle fiber cross-sectional area assessed by immunohistochemistry from muscle biopsy. Determined from muscle biopsy samples (Vastus lateralis). | Week 0 (baseline), 2 and 12 (post training intervention) | 
| Protein expression | 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). | Week 0 (baseline), 2 and 12 (post training intervention) | 
| Gene expression | 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). | Week 0 (baseline), 2 and 12 (post training intervention) | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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exercise, physical fitness, health, muscle hypertrophy, strength, resistance training, physical conditioning