Investigating the Role of Resistance Exercise Frequency in the Regulation of Skeletal Muscle Mass

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study will investigate whether manipulating resistance exercise frequency impacts muscle protein synthesis rates. The investigators will test the hypothesise that a higher resistance exercise frequency will result in greater muscle protein synthesis rates than a lower resistance exercise frequency.

Detailed Description
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Resistance exercise is currently the most effective means of building or maintaining muscle mass. Resistance exercise guidelines generally suggest that those looking to increase muscle mass should train each muscle group once to twice per week. However, it has been proposed that it may be of greater benefit to train a muscle group with a higher frequency (i.e., four to six times per week) than currently suggested. If true, completing the same total volume of resistance exercise in more frequent, smaller bouts could prove to be a more beneficial strategy to optimally build or maintain muscle mass. Therefore, this study will investigate whether manipulating resistance exercise frequency impacts cumulative muscle protein synthesis rates in young individuals. Participants will undergo a 7 day period of habitual activity before completing the same total volume of resistance exercise as either; i) one isolated bout (low frequency) or ii) five smaller bouts (high frequency) over a period of 7 days.

Official Title
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Investigating the Role of Resistance Exercise Frequency in the Regulation of Skeletal Muscle Mass

Conditions
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Physical Activity

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Low Frequency Condition
* Behavioral: High Frequency Condition


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Body mass index (18.5-29.99 kg/m2) Untrained - defined as: Perform activities of daily living and recreation but have completed no regular lower body resistance-type exercise (e.g., weight training) activity in the last year. Good general health Exclusion Criteria: Lidocaine allergy Hypertension (≥140/90 mmHg) Current participation in another clinical study Previous participation in this study Bleeding disorder/s Current or recent smoker Vegetarian or vegan Past history of substance abuse and/or taking prescription or non-prescription medication (e.g., beta-blockers, insulin or thyroxine) or supplements that may influence normal metabolic responses.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 35 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

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
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Low Frequency Condition<br>Participants complete 7 days of habitual physical activity followed by a 7 day period where participants complete a single bout of unilateral resistance exercise. | Behavioral: Low Frequency Condition<br>* Young, untrained participants complete 7 days of habitual physical activity followed by a 7 day period where participants complete a single bout of unilateral resistance exercise.<br>|
| Experimental: High Frequency Condition<br>Participants complete 7 days of habitual physical activity followed by a 7 day period where participants complete the same total volume of resistance exercise as the low frequency condition as five smaller bouts of unilateral resistance exercise. | Behavioral: High Frequency Condition<br>* Young, untrained participants complete 7 days of habitual physical activity followed by a 7 day period where participants complete the same total volume of resistance exercise as the low frequency condition as five smaller bouts of unilateral resistance exercise.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in muscle protein synthesis (FSR %/day) | The change in muscle protein synthesis rates (FSR %/day) from baseline will be determined between the low and high frequency conditions at days 10 and 15 using deuterium oxide (D2O). | At day 10 and 15. | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in satellite cell response | The change in acute satellite cell response will be determined in muscle samples following low and high frequency resistance exercise at days 10 and 15. | At day 10 and 15. |