Sex-difference in Response to Resistance Exercise and Training
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Resistance exercise on a leg extension machine, Resistance training on a leg extension machine, Blood samples, Vastus lateralis biopsy.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Male, Female, Healthy Adult. Basic parameters: 18 years — 40 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Belgium
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Overview
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. 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.
Interventions
- Device Resistance exercise on a leg extension machine
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). - Device Resistance training on a leg extension machine
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). - Procedure Blood samples
Blood samples were taken from the antecubital vein before and immediately after an acute resistance exercise session, and after the chronic resistance training period. - Procedure Vastus lateralis biopsy
Biopsy were taken in the vastus lateralis before and immediately after an acute resistance exercise session, and after the chronic resistance training period. - Diagnostic test Body composition analysis
Body composition analysis using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) before and after the chronic resistance training period. - Diagnostic test One repetition maximum (1-RM)
One repetition maximum (1-RM) assessment before, after 4 weeks of training and at the end the chronic resistance training period. - Diagnostic test Muscle thickness of the vastus lateralis
Muscle thickness of the vastus lateralis assessed by ultrasonography before and after the chronic resistance training period.
Primary outcome measures
- Sex differences in protein expression of muscle mass regulation pathways assessed by western blot [Time frame: Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months]
- Sex differences in mRNA levels in muscle mass regulation pathways assessed by RT-qPCR [Time frame: Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months]
- Sex differences in metabolic status assessed by blood biomarkers [Time frame: Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months]
- Sex differences in hormonal status assessed by blood biomarkers [Time frame: Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months]
- Sex differences in extracellular vesicles regulation assessed by nanoparticle tracking analysis [Time frame: Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months]
- Sex differences in extracellular vesicles regulation assessed by proteomic analysis [Time frame: Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months]
Secondary outcome measures (3)
- Sex differences in body composition assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) [Time frame: Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months]
- Sex differences in muscle thickness of the vastus lateralis assessed by ultrasonography [Time frame: Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months]
- Sex differences in strength evolution assessed by one-repetition maximum (1-RM) [Time frame: Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Men and women aged between 18 and 40 years;
- eumenorrheic women or under contraceptive (hormonal and non-hormonal).
Exclusion criteria
- Regular resistance exercise (≥2x/week);
- Any contraindication to exercise;
- Protein/creatine supplement intake;
- Pregnancy;
- Epilepsy;
- Head implant.
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- Non-randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Open label
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
Study locations
Belgium · 1 center
- Faculté des sciences de la motricité, Pl. Pierre de Coubertin 1 — Louvain-la-Neuve
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07692815 · WOMENRESIST S1