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AgingNCT03724461

Effects of Resistance Training With High vs. Light-moderate Loads on Muscle-tendon Function in the Elderly

A study testing High Intensity resistance training (12 weeks), Light-moderate intensity resistance training (12 weeks) and One High Intensity resistance training session in people with Aging and Sarcopenia, run by University of Castilla-La Mancha at 1 site in Spain.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

There are no unbiased studies that have analyzed the effects of resistance training with traditional, heavy versus light-moderate loads on muscle, tendon and bone in elderly people. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 65 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Aging, Sarcopenia, Frail Elderly Syndrome
What is being tested?
High Intensity resistance training (12 weeks), Light-moderate intensity resistance training (12 weeks) and One High Intensity resistance training session
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
55 participants
Where
1 siteSpain
Study dates
1 Sep 2017to 12 Mar 2020
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 65 years and older
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • 65 years and older,
  • non-institutionalized
  • passed physical examination including physical function assessment (no frailty status; SPPB >7 points)

Who cannot join

  • Neurological, musculoskeletal, or other disorder that would preclude completing resistance training and all performance tests
  • Uncontrolled hypertension, unstable or exercise-induced angina pectoris or myocardial ischemia or any other medical condition that would interfere with testing or increase one's risk of complications during exercise.
  • History of regular resistance exercise during the previous 3 years
  • Knee prosthesis

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Spain1 site
  • Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Laboratorio de Actividad Física y Función Muscular. Campus de la Fábrica de Armas. Avda. Carlos III s/n

    Toledo, 45071

Other trials in Spain

About this study

There are no unbiased studies that have analyzed the effects of resistance training with traditional, heavy versus light-moderate loads on muscle, tendon and bone in elderly people.

The purpose of the present study is to assess the effects on muscle mass and function, tendon and bone of two different training intensities, light-moderate vs. heavy load, in people older than 65 years old.

The study will be carried out with a randomized controlled design. Participants will perform single training sessions and a 12-wk dynamic resistance training program on the knee extensors with different training intensities on each leg. One leg will train with heavy loads and the other one will train with light-moderate loads, but matching the load x repetitions performed by the contralateral side.

Read the detailed description

The decline in muscle function provoked by the aging process and frailty are directly related to decreases in mobility and the ability to perform the so called "daily life activities". Resistance training is especially useful at this stage, given that it is an effective and widely applicable intervention to control and revert sarcopenia, and the deterioration of tendon and bone function. Despite of the effectiveness of heavy load resistance training, a controversy has arisen in the last years about the effects of lower load resistance training programs to achieve similar adaptations. This is because most of the studies that have compared light-moderate versus heavy load programs did not control the differences in total training load, measured as the overall mechanical work performed during the training program. Therefore, there are no unbiased studies that have analyzed the effects of resistance training with traditional, heavy versus light-moderate loads on muscle, tendon and bone in elderly people.

The purpose of the present study is to assess the effects on muscle mass and function, tendon and bone of two different training intensities, light-moderate vs. heavy load, in people older than 65 years old.

The studies will be carried out with a crossover (acute training sessions) and randomized controlled design (longitudinal training intervention). Participants will perform single training sessions with each resistance training intensity and a 12-wk dynamic resistance training program on the knee extensors with different training intensities on each leg. One leg will train with heavy loads and the other one will train with light-moderate loads, but matching the load x repetitions performed by the contralateral side. Muscle adaptations (EMG, muscle size and architecture), tendon mechanical properties, bone mineral density, blood parameters and life quality will be analyzed before and after the cessation of the training program.

Being tested
High Intensity resistance training (12 weeks), Light-moderate intensity resistance training (12 weeks), Control (12 weeks), One High Intensity resistance training session, One Light-moderate intensity resistance training session
Keywords
resistance training, sarcopenia, hypertrophy, tendon, frailty, ageing
Medical subject headings
Sarcopenia, Hypertrophy, Frailty

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • High Intensity resistance training (12 weeks)Behavioural

    Also called HIT

    High intensity resistance training (80% of 1 repetition maximum), 2 d/wk (Longitudinal)

  • Light-moderate intensity resistance training (12 weeks)Behavioural

    Also called LIT

    Light-moderate intensity resistance training (40% of 1 repetition maximum), 2 d/wk (Longitudinal)

  • Control (12 weeks)Behavioural

    Also called CON

    No resistance training during the intervention period.

  • One High Intensity resistance training sessionBehavioural

    Also called HIT (Acute)

    High intensity resistance training, 1 training session

  • One Light-moderate intensity resistance training sessionBehavioural

    Also called LIT (Acute)

    Light-moderate intensity resistance training, 1 training session

Study groups in NCT03724461
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
High intensity vs Control (12 weeks)Active comparator8 weeks of baseline period plus an exercise program where one leg undergoes High Intensity resistance training (12 weeks) and the other leg is established as control.
Receives: Behavioral: High Intensity resistance training (12 weeks); Behavioral: Control (12 weeks)
Light intensity vs Control (12 weeks)Active comparator8 weeks of baseline period plus an exercise program where one leg undergoes light-moderate intensity resistance training (12 weeks) and the other leg is established as control.
Receives: Behavioral: Light-moderate intensity resistance training (12 weeks); Behavioral: Control (12 weeks)
High vs Light intensity (12 weeks)Experimental8 weeks of baseline period plus an exercise program where one leg undergoes High Intensity resistance training (12 weeks) and the other leg undergoes light-moderate intensity resistance training.
Receives: Behavioral: High Intensity resistance training (12 weeks); Behavioral: Light-moderate intensity resistance training (12 weeks)
High intensity (Acute)ExperimentalAnalysis of the effects of one High Intensity resistance training session, with a crossover design.
Receives: Behavioral: One High Intensity resistance training session
Light intensity (Acute)ExperimentalAnalysis of the effects of one Light-moderate Intensity resistance training session, with a crossover design.
Receives: Behavioral: One Light-moderate intensity resistance training session

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Acute change in muscle size (cross sectional area, cm2)

    Ultrasound-based determination quadriceps muscle size and architecture.

    Measured: Change from baseline at 5 minutes after a training session

  2. Change in muscle size (cross sectional area, cm2)

    Ultrasound-based determination quadriceps muscle size and architecture.

    Measured: Change from baseline to week 12

  3. Acute change in muscle function (N)

    Force-velocity profile of the single-leg press exercise

    Measured: Change from baseline at 5 minutes after a training session

  4. Change in muscle function (N)

    Force-velocity profile of the single-leg press exercise

    Measured: Change from baseline to week 12

Secondary outcomes (15)
  1. Change in patellar tendon stiffness (N/mm)

    Ultrasound and force-based measures of tendon mechanical properties.

    Measured: Change from baseline to week 12

  2. Acute change in patellar tendon stiffness (N/mm)

    Ultrasound and force-based measures of tendon mechanical properties.

    Measured: Change from baseline at 5 minutes after a training session

  3. Change in muscle mass (kg)

    Lean mass determined by Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry

    Measured: Change from baseline to week 12

  4. Change in bone mass (g)

    Bone mineral content determined by Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry

    Measured: Change from baseline to week 12

  5. Acute change in muscle excitation (mV)

    Electromyographic activity of the knee extensor and flexor muscles during strength assessment and training

    Measured: Change from baseline at 5 minutes after a training session

  6. Change in muscle excitation (mV)

    Electromyographic activity of the knee extensor and flexor muscles during strength assessment and training

    Measured: Change from baseline to week 12

  7. Change in physical function

    Short Physical Performance Battery

    Measured: Change from baseline to week 12

  8. Blood analysis: Acute change in oxidative stress

    Carbonyl proteins (plasma concentration)

    Measured: Change from baseline at 5 minutes after a training session

  9. Blood analysis: Change in oxidative stress

    Carbonyl proteins (plasma concentration)

    Measured: Change from baseline to week 12

  10. Blood analysis: Acute change in Inflammation

    Interleukin 6, Tumoral necrosis factor Alpha, C reactive protein (plasma concentration)

    Measured: Change from baseline at 5 minutes after a training session (Acute)

  11. Blood analysis: Change in inflammation

    Interleukin 6, Tumoral necrosis factor Alpha, C reactive protein (plasma concentration)

    Measured: Change from baseline to week 12

  12. Blood analysis: Acute change in anabolic processes

    Testosterone, growth hormone, Insulin growth factor-1 (plasma concentration)

    Measured: Change from baseline at 5 minutes after a training session

  13. Blood analysis: Change in anabolic processes

    Testosterone, growth hormone, Insulin growth factor-1 (plasma concentration)

    Measured: Change from baseline to week 12

  14. Blood analysis: Acute change in catabolic processes

    Cortisol, Creatin kinase (plasma concentration)

    Measured: Change from baseline at 5 minutes after a training session

  15. Blood analysis: Change in catabolic processes

    Cortisol, Creatin kinase (plasma concentration)

    Measured: Change from baseline to week 12

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted30 Oct 2018
  2. Study start1 Sep 2017
  3. Primary completion12 Mar 2020
  4. Study completion12 Mar 2020

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Factorial
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
55 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03724461
Sponsor's protocol ID
DEP2015-69386-R
Status last verified
Jun 2020
First submitted
18 Sep 2018
Last updated
16 Jun 2020
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Undecided

Publications

  • Rodriguez-Lopez C, Alcazar J, Sanchez-Martin C, Baltasar-Fernandez I, Ara I, Csapo R, Alegre LM. Contralateral Adaptations After Unilateral Power Training in Older Adults: The Effect of Intensity of Load. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2025 Nov;35(11):e70165. doi: 10.1111/sms.70165.

    PubMed 41222282
  • Rodriguez-Lopez C, Alcazar J, Losa-Reyna J, Martin-Espinosa NM, Baltasar-Fernandez I, Ara I, Csapo R, Alegre LM. Effects of Power-Oriented Resistance Training With Heavy vs. Light Loads on Muscle-Tendon Function in Older Adults: A Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. Front Physiol. 2021 Feb 18;12:635094. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2021.635094. eCollection 2021.

    PubMed 33679447
  • Rodriguez-Lopez C, Alcazar J, Sanchez-Martin C, Ara I, Csapo R, Alegre LM. Mechanical Characteristics of Heavy vs. Light Load Ballistic Resistance Training in Older Adults. J Strength Cond Res. 2022 Aug 1;36(8):2094-2101. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003826. Epub 2020 Sep 16.

    PubMed 32947572

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing High Intensity resistance training (12 weeks), Light-moderate intensity resistance training (12 weeks) and One High Intensity resistance training session in people with Aging and Sarcopenia, run by University of Castilla-La Mancha at 1 site in Spain.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 16 Jun 2020. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Spain. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Acute change in muscle size (cross sectional area, cm2) (time frame: Change from baseline at 5 minutes after a training session). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03724461, which also lists 3 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 16 Jun 2020.

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