MaleWOMENRESIST S1NCT07692815
Sex-difference in Response to Resistance Exercise and Training
A study testing Resistance exercise on a leg extension machine, Resistance training on a leg extension machine and Blood samples in people with Male and Female, run by Université Catholique de Louvain at 1 site in Belgium.
Trial summary
Sex-Difference in Response to Resistance Exercise and Training Given the importance of muscular strength for athletic performance as well as for daily activities in the general population-including clinical populations-and the lack of data in both men and women, the aim of this study is to compare neuromuscular… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 40 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Male, Female, Healthy Adult
- What is being tested?
- Resistance exercise on a leg extension machine, Resistance training on a leg extension machine and Blood samples
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion, Medical device, Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteBelgium
- Study dates
- 2 Feb 2026to 31 Dec 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
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 40 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Men and women aged between 18 and 40 years;
- eumenorrheic women or under contraceptive (hormonal and non-hormonal).
Who cannot join
- Regular resistance exercise (≥2x/week);
- Any contraindication to exercise;
- Protein/creatine supplement intake;
- Pregnancy;
- Epilepsy;
- Head implant.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Belgium1 site
Faculté des sciences de la motricité, Pl. Pierre de Coubertin 1
Louvain-la-Neuve, 1348
About this study
Sex-Difference in Response to Resistance Exercise and Training
Given the importance of muscular strength for athletic performance as well as for daily activities in the general population-including clinical populations-and the lack of data in both men and women, the aim of this study is to compare neuromuscular, intramuscular, and systemic adaptations in men and women in response to both acute and chronic resistance exercise.
Read more
Specifically, the investigators will test the hypotheses that:
the neuromuscular response to resistance exercise, including corticospinal excitability and motor unit activation patterns, differs between men and women; the hormonal response and exosome release following resistance exercise are reduced in women compared to men.
Participants (n = 15 per group) will follow a supervised resistance training program for 8 weeks. Neuromuscular function of the knee extensor muscles, body composition, intramuscular adaptations, as well as blood profiles (hormonal and metabolic) and exosomes will be assessed before and after a single resistance exercise session and after the training period. This protocol will allow determination of both the acute and long-term effects of resistance exercise.
Women's participation in sports is increasing, yet research in this area remains very limited. This project aims to better understand the mechanisms by which resistance training-a non-pharmacological and low-cost strategy-may induce different adaptations in men and women, and, where appropriate, to contribute to the development of sex-specific recommendations to maximize the health benefits of resistance training.
- Conditions
- Male, Female, Healthy Adult
- Being tested
- Resistance exercise on a leg extension machine, Resistance training on a leg extension machine, Blood samples, Vastus lateralis biopsy, Body composition analysis
- Keywords
- Resistance Training, Resistance exercise, Sex-Differences, Extracellular vesicles, Neuromuscular, Intramuscular, Systemic response, Hormonal
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Resistance exercise on a leg extension machineDevice
Supervised resistance exercise consisting exclusively of knee extension exercise on a leg extension machine. Acute exercise included 6 sets of 10 repetitions at 80% of one-repetition maximum (1RM).
Resistance training on a leg extension machineDevice
Supervised resistance training consisting exclusively of knee extension exercise on a leg extension machine. Chronic exercise included 6 sets of 10 repetitions at 80% of one-repetition maximum (1RM). The program was carried out over 8 weeks (3x/week).
Blood samplesProcedure or surgery
Blood samples were taken from the antecubital vein before and immediately after an acute resistance exercise session, and after the chronic resistance training period.
Vastus lateralis biopsyProcedure or surgery
Biopsy were taken in the vastus lateralis before and immediately after an acute resistance exercise session, and after the chronic resistance training period.
Body composition analysisDiagnostic test
Body composition analysis using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) before and after the chronic resistance training period.
One repetition maximum (1-RM)Diagnostic test
One repetition maximum (1-RM) assessment before, after 4 weeks of training and at the end the chronic resistance training period.
Muscle thickness of the vastus lateralisDiagnostic test
Muscle thickness of the vastus lateralis assessed by ultrasonography before and after the chronic resistance training period.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Men | Experimental | Male participants performing a supervised 8-week resistance training program. Neuromuscular, intramuscular, and systemic responses to both acute and chronic resistance exercise will be assessed. Receives: Device: Resistance exercise on a leg extension machine; Device: Resistance training on a leg extension machine; Procedure: Blood samples; Procedure: Vastus lateralis biopsy; Diagnostic Test: Body composition analysis; Diagnostic Test: One repetition maximum (1-RM); Diagnostic Test: Muscle thickness of the vastus lateralis |
| Women | Experimental | Female participants performing a supervised 8-week resistance training program. Neuromuscular, intramuscular, and systemic responses to both acute and chronic resistance exercise will be assessed. Receives: Device: Resistance exercise on a leg extension machine; Device: Resistance training on a leg extension machine; Procedure: Blood samples; Procedure: Vastus lateralis biopsy; Diagnostic Test: Body composition analysis; Diagnostic Test: One repetition maximum (1-RM); Diagnostic Test: Muscle thickness of the vastus lateralis |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Sex differences in protein expression of muscle mass regulation pathways assessed by western blot
Assessment of protein of expression muscle mass regulation pathways after acute exercise and chronic exercise using western blot (ratio of target protein to reference protein)
Measured: Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months
Sex differences in mRNA levels in muscle mass regulation pathways assessed by RT-qPCR
Assessment of mRNA levels of muscle mass regulation pathways after acute exercise and chronic exercise usin RT-qPCR (fold change).
Measured: Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months
Sex differences in metabolic status assessed by blood biomarkers
Assessment of metabolic blood parameters before and after acute exercise and chronic resistance training.
Measured: Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months
Sex differences in hormonal status assessed by blood biomarkers
Assessment of hormonal blood parameters before and after acute exercise and chronic resistance training.
Measured: Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months
Sex differences in extracellular vesicles regulation assessed by nanoparticle tracking analysis
Assessment of the concentration and size of circulating extracellular vesicles after acute exercise and chronic exercise using nanoparticle tracking analysis.
Measured: Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months
Sex differences in extracellular vesicles regulation assessed by proteomic analysis
Assessment of protein expression of circulating extracellular vesicles after acute exercise and chronic exercise using proteomic analysis
Measured: Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months
Secondary outcomes (3)
Sex differences in body composition assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)
Comparison of fat mass and lean mass between men and women before and after the chronic resistance training.
Measured: Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months
Sex differences in muscle thickness of the vastus lateralis assessed by ultrasonography
Comparison of vastus lateralis muscle thickness between men and women before and after the chronic resistance training.
Measured: Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months
Sex differences in strength evolution assessed by one-repetition maximum (1-RM)
Comparison of maximal strength evolution between men and women before and after the chronic resistance training.
Measured: Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted9 Jul 2026
- Study start2 Feb 2026
- Primary completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for MaleStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Université Catholique de Louvain
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- University of Lausanne, Université d'Auvergne
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Sylvie Copine, Principal investigator, Université Catholique de Louvain
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07692815
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- WOMENRESIST S1
- Acronym
- WOMENRESIST S1
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 11 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 9 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No