Strength Training for Musculoskeletal Health

(Muscle:Time Trial)

Overseen By Divya Shetty

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Duquesne University

Must not be taking: Antidepressants, Anti-seizure drugs

Disqualifiers: Hypertension, Cardiovascular disease, COPD, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 6 months

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how different strength training exercises can improve bone health, sleep, and overall quality of life. It compares two types of muscle training exercises, including Variable Resistance Muscle Training, to determine which is more effective. The study seeks men and women aged 30 or older who can easily lift an office chair and are ready to commit to daily workouts and a specific diet for six months. Participants should not have certain health conditions, such as heart problems, or be on medications that cause dizziness. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance daily life through improved health and wellness.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are taking drugs that may increase fall risk or cause dizziness, such as antidepressants or anti-seizure drugs, you may not be eligible to participate.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that strength training, including exercises where muscles work against changing levels of resistance, is generally safe for people, including older adults. Most individuals handle this type of exercise well, with few reports of issues. Studies have demonstrated that supervised resistance training can increase muscle strength and reduce discomfort.

Regular training of this kind improves muscle and bone health. Traditional strength training is considered the safest form, with injuries being rare when exercises are properly supervised and executed correctly. For those considering joining a trial with variable resistance muscle training, past research indicates promising safety data. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about variable resistance muscle training for musculoskeletal health because it offers a dynamic approach that adapts to the individual's strength throughout the exercise. Unlike traditional static weightlifting, which uses a fixed weight, this method adjusts resistance to match the muscle's capacity at different points of the movement, potentially leading to more effective strength gains and improved joint health. By tailoring resistance to the muscle's needs, this technique may enhance muscle growth and prevent injury, offering a promising alternative to standard resistance training methods.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for musculoskeletal health?

This trial will compare the effects of two different exercise regimens on musculoskeletal health. Research has shown that variable resistance muscle training effectively increases muscle size and strength. Studies have found that resistance training improves muscle mass, strength, and physical ability compared to inactivity. More intense workouts, such as lifting weights exceeding 80% of one's maximum capacity, lead to the best strength gains. The frequency of weekly exercise also influences the benefits. Although the effects on neck and shoulder discomfort are small, this type of training generally benefits overall muscle and bone health. ^{2 4 5 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Paula Witt-Enderby, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Duquesne University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for healthy men and women aged 30 or older who can commit to a 6-month study, lift an office chair without difficulty, maintain a food diary, consume enough protein (about 2.2g/kg body weight daily), and do daily muscle training exercises. It's not for those with neurodegenerative diseases, pregnancy, limited mobility, severe uncontrolled health conditions like high blood pressure or heart disease, muscle atrophy disorders such as DMD or ALS, chronic steroid users, active hernia cases, pacemaker/defibrillator implants; people on certain dizziness-inducing medications; vegans/vegetarians; individuals with COPD or specific muscle diseases.

Inclusion Criteria

I am 30 years old or older.

You are willing to do muscle training exercises every day.

I am willing to join a 6-month research study.

Exclusion Criteria

I have a muscle disease like myasthenia gravis.

I have Marfan syndrome, migraine, hyperparathyroidism, metastatic bone disease, or multiple myeloma.

I have difficulty moving around.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo variable resistance muscle training to assess effects on bone, sleep parameters, and quality of life

6 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Variable Resistance Muscle Training

Trial Overview The study tests the impact of variable resistance strength training on bone health, sleep quality and overall life satisfaction in adults over the age of thirty. Participants will be asked to train regularly over six months while their progress is monitored through various tests and specimen collections at three intervals: start (0 months), middle (3 months), and end (6 months).

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: The effect of exercise B on musculoskeletal health Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: The effect of exercise A on musculoskeletal health Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Duquesne University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

33

Recruited

2,500+

Jaquish Biomedical

Industry Sponsor

Trials

1

Recruited

40+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A 1-year strength training program significantly improved muscle performance in older adults, with participants showing increased strength and speed immediately after the intervention.

Seven years later, those who participated in strength training experienced a slower decline in muscle performance compared to the control group, indicating that the benefits of strength training can last long-term, although they do not completely prevent age-related decline.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Long-term impact of strength training on muscle strength characteristics in older adults. Kennis, E., Verschueren, SM., Bogaerts, A., et al.[2013]

In a review of 121 trials involving 6700 older adults, most adverse events related to progressive resistance strength training were musculoskeletal issues like muscle strains and joint pain, particularly in participants with pre-existing health conditions or those engaging in high-intensity training.

Adverse events were often underreported, highlighting the need for clearer definitions and consistent reporting in future studies to better inform practitioners about the risks and benefits of strength training in older adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse events reported in progressive resistance strength training trials in older adults: 2 sides of a coin. Liu, CJ., Latham, N.[2010]

Resistance training (RT) is the only non-drug method proven to effectively counteract age-related declines in muscle mass, strength, and power, while also reducing risks of various health issues like cardiovascular disease and depression.

Minimal-dose RT strategies, which involve lower training volumes and can be performed with minimal equipment, are effective in improving strength and functional ability, making it easier for more people to participate and potentially enhancing overall health outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Minimal-Dose Resistance Training for Improving Muscle Mass, Strength, and Function: A Narrative Review of Current Evidence and Practical Considerations. Fyfe, JJ., Hamilton, DL., Daly, RM.[2022]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9302196/

Resistance Training Variables for Optimization of Muscle ... This umbrella review aimed to analyze the different variables of resistance training and their effect on hypertrophy, and to provide practical recommendations.

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254623000601

The influence of resistance exercise training prescription ... Overall, RT increased muscle mass, strength, and physical function compared to no exercise. RT intensity (load) and weekly frequency impacted RT-induced ...

3. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10926-025-10273-8

Resistance Exercise Training on Musculoskeletal ... Resistance training shows modest reductions in neck and shoulder discomfort, and marginal improvement in shoulder and neck strength, but no ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10579494/

Resistance training prescription for muscle strength and ... All RTxs were superior to CTRL for muscle strength and hypertrophy. Higher-load (>80% of single repetition maximum) prescriptions maximised strength gains.

5. bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12891-020-03753-w

Intensity of resistance training via self-reported history is ... The summary of these findings is that intensity of resistance training critically influences expected differential muscular and bone outcomes ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10099898/

Which resistance training is safest to practice? A systematic ... This systematic review showed that traditional strength training is the safest RT method, and strongman is the least safe regarding injuries.

7. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-1-musculoskeletal-diseases-8-2021-07a48

Strength Training for Musculoskeletal Health ... Research shows that strength training, including progressive resistance training, is generally safe for humans, including older adults. It is associated with ...