Examining Changes in Muscle Size and Body Composition Between Two Hypertrophy Resistance Training Programs in Males

Body Weight Changes Clinical Trial

Official title:

A Pilot Study Examining Differences in Waist, Upper-arm, Mid-thigh Circumference and Body Composition When Training to Momentary Muscular Fatigue Versus Close Failure-proximity Amongst Healthy Male Biological Sex University-aged Students

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT05667233
• Other study ID #: 2022-6399
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: February 6, 2023
• Est. completion date: April 3, 2023

Study information

• Verified date: August 2023
• Source: Dalhousie University
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

This study aims to investigate if a less physically and psychologically taxing approach to resistance training can generate equal or greater outcomes when compared to a more physically and psychologically taxing approach.

Description:

Resistance training is commonly used to improve body composition, gain strength, increase muscle size (i.e., hypertrophy) and prevent muscle atrophy (i.e., muscle wasting). The most optimal mode of building muscle remains unclear, however there are many mechanisms that can be tested to yield optimal results. One variable that can be manipulated when designing a hypertrophy-focused resistance training regimen is intensity (i.e., proximity-to-failure). Proximity-to-failure is defined as the number of repetitions remaining in a set of prescribed exercises prior to reaching momentary muscular failure (MMF). MMF is when an individual cannot complete the lowering or concentric phase of a given repetition with a full range-of-motion without deviation from the prescribed form of the exercise. For all lifters, particularly amongst older populations, it can be psychologically demanding to push to MMF, and may increase the risk of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and/or injury due to technical breakdown. In contrast, there is some evidence that suggests training to a slightly less intensity (i.e., within 1-4 repetitions in reserve [RIR]) may result in comparable hypertrophic results with less of a physical and psychological demand on participants.

For these reasons, this study looks to investigate if an easier (i.e., less intense) approach to training such as training with repetitions in reserve (RIR), warrants similar or better muscle hypertrophy adaptations to MMF.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 13
• Est. completion date: April 3, 2023
• Est. primary completion date: March 27, 2023
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: Male
• Age group: 18 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• biological male

• age 18 years or older

• enrolled at Dalhousie university

• minimum 3-months of consistent (at least 2x/week) resistance training experience

Exclusion Criteria:

• body fat percentage 25% or greater (obese)

• use of performance enhancing drugs that aim to increase rate of muscle growth (i.e., androgenic steroids, anabolic steroids, selective androgen receptive modulators, growth hormone).

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Body Weight
• Body Weight Changes
• Hypertrophy

Intervention

Other:
• Resistance Training Program
Participants will undergo a high exertion machine-based resistance training protocol.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Canada	Dalplex Fitness Centre	Halifax	Nova Scotia

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Dalhousie University

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Canada, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Segment girth (cm)	Upper arm (biceps) circumference, mid-thigh (quadriceps) circumference, waist (abdomen) circumference	8-weeks
Secondary	Body composition (kg)	Fat mass, Fat-free mass, Total Body Mass (fat mass + fat free mass)	8-weeks
Secondary	Body Fat Percentage	Fat Mass (kg) / Total Body mass (kg) * 100	8-weeks