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

40 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

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.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Variable Resistance Muscle Training for musculoskeletal health?

Research shows that resistance training can improve muscle strength, increase bone density, and reduce body fat, which are beneficial for musculoskeletal health. It can also help manage conditions like osteoarthritis by increasing muscle strength and improving joint function. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is strength training generally safe for humans?

Research shows that strength training, including progressive resistance training, is generally safe for humans, including older adults. It is associated with health benefits like reduced risk of heart disease and improved muscle function, though some adverse events have been reported, especially in older adults. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

How does Variable Resistance Muscle Training differ from other treatments for musculoskeletal health?

Variable Resistance Muscle Training is unique because it uses elastic bands or chains to change the resistance during exercises, which can improve muscle strength and power more effectively than traditional constant resistance methods. This approach enhances coordination and muscle recruitment, making it potentially more beneficial for both athletes and untrained individuals. ^{9 11 12 13 14}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The objective here is to assess the efficacy of variable resistance muscle training on bone, sleep parameters and quality of life in healthy populations of men and women age 30 or older.

Research Team

Paula Witt-Enderby, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Duquesne University

Eligibility Criteria

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

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

Treatment Details

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).

Participant Groups

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+

Findings from Research

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]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

High-intensity versus low-intensity resistance training in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial. [2023]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Musculoskeletal exercise: Its role in promoting health and longevity. [2023]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Resistance training in musculoskeletal rehabilitation: a systematic review. [2022]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Muscle strength and exercise intensity adaptation to resistance training in older women with knee osteoarthritis and total knee arthroplasty. [2022]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Long-term impact of strength training on muscle strength characteristics in older adults. [2013]

6. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Independent and combined effects of exercise and vitamin D on muscle morphology, function and falls in the elderly. [2021]

7. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The influence of frequency, intensity, volume and mode of strength training on whole muscle cross-sectional area in humans. [2022]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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

9. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Appropriate Reporting of Exercise Variables in Resistance Training Protocols: Much more than Load and Number of Repetitions. [2022]

10. New Zealand 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. [2022]

11. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of Training with Elastic Bands on Strength and Fatigue Indicators in Paralympic Powerlifting. [2021]

12. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparing the effects of variable and traditional resistance training on maximal strength and muscle power in healthy adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. [2022]

13. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Variable Resistance Training on Maximal Strength: A Meta-Analysis. [2018]

14. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Elastic Bands as a Component of Periodized Resistance Training. [2018]