Skeletal Muscle HypertrophyFHALLNCT04547972
The Effects of Heavier- and Lighter-load Resistance Training on Arm and Leg Muscle Mass in Young Adult Women
A study testing Higher-load resistance training and Lower-load resistance training in people with Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy, run by University of British Columbia at 1 site in Canada.
Trial 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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy
- What is being tested?
- Higher-load resistance training and Lower-load resistance training
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 16 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCanada
- Study dates
- 5 Jan 2021to 12 Aug 2021
- 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 18 to 30 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- 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
Who cannot join
- 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)
Show all 11Show fewer
- 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
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Canada1 site
The University of British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3
About this study
Official title: The Effects of Higher- And Lower-Load Resistance Exercise Training on Leg and Arm Skeletal Muscle Mass in Healthy Young Adult Females
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.
Read the 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.
- Conditions
- Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy
- Being tested
- Higher-load resistance training, Lower-load resistance training
- Keywords
- Skeletal Muscle, Hypertrophy, Strength, Muscle Endurance
- Medical subject headings
- Hypertrophy
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Higher-load resistance trainingOther
This intervention will have one arm and one leg of each participant training with ~80% of their one repetition maximum
Lower-load resistance trainingOther
This intervention will have one arm and one leg of each participant training with ~30% of their one repetition maximum
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Higher-load limbs | Active comparator | 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. Receives: Other: Higher-load resistance training |
| Lower-load limbs | Active comparator | 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. Receives: Other: Lower-load resistance training |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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
Measured: Weeks 1 and 12
Secondary outcomes (10)
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
Measured: Weeks 1 and 12
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
Measured: Weeks 1 and 12
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
Measured: Weeks 1 and 12
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
Measured: Weeks 1 and 12
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
Measured: Weeks 1 and 12
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
Measured: Weeks 1 and 12
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
Measured: Weeks 1 and 12
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
Measured: Weeks 1 and 12
Change in Vastus Lateralis Pennation Angle between weeks 1 and 12
The pennation angle of the vastus lateralis muscle fibers measured using ultrasonography
Measured: Weeks 1 and 12
Change in Vastus Lateralis Fascicle Length between weeks 1 and 12
The length of the fascicles of the vastus lateralis muscle measured using ultrasonography
Measured: Weeks 1 and 12
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted14 Sep 2020
- Study start5 Jan 2021
- Primary completion12 Aug 2021
- Study completion12 Aug 2021
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (6)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Skeletal Muscle HypertrophyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of British ColumbiaThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- 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)
- Enrolment
- 16 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of British Columbia
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Cameron Mitchell, University of British Columbia
- Investigators
- Cameron J Mitchell, PhD, Principal investigator, University of British Columbia
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04547972
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- H20-01570
- Acronym
- FHALL
- Status last verified
- Sep 2021
- First submitted
- 4 Sep 2020
- Last updated
- 29 Sep 2021
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: A plan has not yet been made to make individual participant data available to other researchers
Publications
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.
PubMed 12436270Schoenfeld 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.
PubMed 28834797Mitchell 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.
PubMed 22518835Roberts 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.
PubMed 32218059Franco 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.
PubMed 30640303Fliss 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.
PubMed 36027601
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 29 Sep 2021. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effects of Higher- And Lower-Load Resistance Exercise Training on Leg and Arm Skeletal Muscle Mass in Healthy Young Adult Females
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04547972
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- FHALL / H20-01570
- Conditions
- Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy
- Keywords
- Skeletal Muscle, Hypertrophy, Strength, Muscle Endurance
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 16 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of British ColumbiaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 5 Jan 2021 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 12 Aug 2021 (actual)
- Study completion
- 12 Aug 2021 (actual)
- First posted
- 14 Sep 2020 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- 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.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Higher-load limbs | Active comparator | Other: Higher-load resistance trainingThis 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. |
| Lower-load limbs | Active comparator | Other: Lower-load resistance trainingThis 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. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- 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
Key exclusion criteria (11 listed)
- 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
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Higher-load resistance trainingThis intervention will have one arm and one leg of each participant training with ~80% of their one repetition maximum | Other | Higher-load limbs |
| Lower-load resistance trainingThis intervention will have one arm and one leg of each participant training with ~30% of their one repetition maximum | Other | Lower-load limbs |
Primary outcome
Change in upper- and lower-body skeletal muscle mass between weeks 1 and 12
Time frame: Weeks 1 and 12
The total skeletal muscle mass measured in each individual arm and leg quantified using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scanning
10 secondary outcomes
Change in unilateral dumbbell bicep preacher curl one repetition maximum between weeks 1 and 12
Time frame: Weeks 1 and 12
Change in unilateral knee extension one repetition maximum between weeks 1 and 12
Time frame: Weeks 1 and 12
Change in unilateral dumbbell bicep preacher curl relative muscle endurance between weeks 1 and 12
Time frame: Weeks 1 and 12
Change in unilateral dumbbell bicep preacher curl absolute muscle endurance between weeks 1 and 12
Time frame: Weeks 1 and 12
Change in unilateral knee extension relative muscle endurance between weeks 1 and 12
Time frame: Weeks 1 and 12
Change in unilateral knee extension absolute muscle endurance between weeks 1 and 12
Time frame: Weeks 1 and 12
Change in Vastus Lateralis and Biceps Brachii Cross Sectional Area between weeks 1 and 12
Time frame: Weeks 1 and 12
Change in Vastus Lateralis and Biceps Brachii Muscle Thickness between weeks 1 and 12
Time frame: Weeks 1 and 12
Change in Vastus Lateralis Pennation Angle between weeks 1 and 12
Time frame: Weeks 1 and 12
Change in Vastus Lateralis Fascicle Length between weeks 1 and 12
Time frame: Weeks 1 and 12
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 29 Sep 2021.
- Background: PubMed 12436270Campos 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.
- Background: PubMed 28834797Schoenfeld 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.
- Background: PubMed 22518835Mitchell 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.
- Background: PubMed 32218059Roberts 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.
- Background: PubMed 30640303Franco 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.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 36027601Fliss 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.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. A plan has not yet been made to make individual participant data available to other researchers
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Cameron J Mitchell, PhD principal investigator
University of British Columbia
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Higher-load resistance training and Lower-load resistance training in people with Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy, run by University of British Columbia at 1 site in Canada.
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 5 inclusion and 11 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 29 Sep 2021. 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 Canada. 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?
Change in upper- and lower-body skeletal muscle mass between weeks 1 and 12 (time frame: Weeks 1 and 12). 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 NCT04547972, which also lists 6 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 29 Sep 2021.