240 Participants Needed

Resistance Exercise for Cardiovascular Risk

(DoReps Trial)

DL
Overseen ByDuck-chul Lee, PhD
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to consult with the trial coordinators or your doctor for guidance.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Resistance Exercise for reducing cardiovascular risk?

Research shows that resistance exercise can improve cardiovascular health by enhancing muscle strength and endurance, and positively influencing cardiovascular risk factors, metabolism, and quality of life. It is particularly beneficial for patients with coronary heart disease and can be safely included in cardiac rehabilitation programs for those with good cardiac performance capacity.12345

Is resistance exercise generally safe for humans?

Resistance exercise is generally considered safe for humans, including those with cardiovascular conditions, as it can improve muscle strength and cardiovascular health without reported risks in studies. However, caution is advised for individuals with specific heart conditions due to potential blood pressure responses.26789

How does resistance exercise differ from other treatments for cardiovascular risk?

Resistance exercise, unlike many traditional cardiovascular treatments, focuses on building muscle strength and endurance, which can improve heart health and reduce risk factors. It is unique because it can be combined with aerobic exercise for enhanced benefits and is tailored to individual capabilities, making it a versatile option for improving cardiovascular health.157810

What is the purpose of this trial?

A large body of evidence indicates numerous health benefits of physical activity, including prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death in the US. This evidence has led to US Physical Activity Guidelines that recommend ≥150 min/week of moderate or ≥75 min/week of vigorous aerobic exercise (AE), plus resistance exercise (RE; such as weight lifting) on ≥2 days/week. To date, current research has mostly focused on AE, and we know a great deal about the dose-response relation between AE and health, resulting in clear and practical guidance to the public on the recommended "dose" in min/week. However, currently far less is known about the dose-response for RE: ≥2 days/week are recommended, but with no duration specified. Thus, this project aims to provide clarity on the dose relationship between RE and health. This project will significantly contribute to developing more effective CVD prevention approaches, advancing prescriptive intervention guidelines, by helping to fill the important gaps in knowledge on effective minimum dose, beneficial optimal dose, and safe maximum dose of RE for CVD prevention. Thus, advancing prescriptive intervention guidelines, and provide important insights for future science of physical activity and health.

Research Team

DL

Duck-chul Lee, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Pittsburgh

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals at risk of cardiovascular disease who are interested in understanding how different amounts of resistance exercise can impact their heart health. There's no specific duration mentioned, but participants should be willing to engage in either aerobic or resistance exercises as per the study requirements.

Inclusion Criteria

Inactive: not meeting the US resistance and aerobic exercise guidelines over the last 6 months
Non-Smoker
Overweight or Obese: Body Mass Index 25-43 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria

I have a serious health condition that could worsen with exercise.
My heart condition is stable.
Pregnancy/anticipated pregnancy during the study
See 5 more

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants are randomly assigned to varying dosages of resistance exercise for 1 year, with baseline, 6-month, and 12-month physical examinations

12 months
Baseline, 6-month, and 12-month visits

Supervised Exercise

First 6 months of intervention in a supervised lab-based setting, assessing changes in CVD risk factors

6 months

Unsupervised Exercise

Second 6 months in a free-living environment with a health club membership, focusing on adherence

6 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for long-term effects and adherence to exercise regimen

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Resistance Exercise
Trial Overview The study is testing four different exercise regimens: 30 minutes, 60 minutes, and 120 minutes of resistance training, compared with aerobic exercise only. The goal is to determine how each amount affects cardiovascular health and establish guidelines for effective exercise doses.
Participant Groups
4Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Aerobic Exercise (AE) onlyExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Aerobic exercise (AE) training will consist of 60 min of treadmill, elliptical, or bike exercise at a moderate to vigorous (50-80% of heart rate reserve). Intensity of the exercise sessions will be built of gradually. Sessions will occur 2 times per week for the duration of the year.
Group II: 60 min of resistance exercise (RE)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
60 min of resistance exercise (RE) will consist of 60 total minutes of resistance exercise each week (30 min each session) in addition to 60 min of aerobic exercise each week (30 min each session). Each 30 min session of resistance exercise will consist of 2 sets of 8-15 repetitions at 50-80% of 1-rep max of 8 exercises. Aerobic exercise will consist of treadmill, elliptical, or bike exercise at moderate to vigorous intensity (50-80% of heart rate reserve). Intensity of the exercise sessions will be increased gradually. With 1 min rest between sets, this plan is estimated to take approximately 60 min per session. Sessions will occur 2 times per week for the duration of 1 year.
Group III: 30 min of resistance exercise (RE)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
30 min of resistance exercise (RE) will consist of 30 total minutes of resistance exercise each week (15 min each session) in addition to 60 min of aerobic exercise (AE) each week (30 min each session). Each 15 min session of RE will consist of 2 sets of 8-15 repetitions at 50-80% of 1-rep max of 4 exercises. AE will consist of treadmill, elliptical, or bike exercise at moderate to vigorous intensity (50-80% of heart rate reserve). Intensity of the exercise sessions will be increased gradually. With 1 min rest between sets, this plan is estimated to take approximately 45 min per session. Sessions will occur 2 times per week for the duration of 1 year.
Group IV: 120 min of resistance exercise (RE)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
120 min of resistance exercise (RE) will consist of 120 total minutes of resistance exercise each week (60 min each session) in addition to 60 min of aerobic exercise each week (30 min each session). Each 60 min session of resistance exercise will consist of 3 sets of 8-15 repetitions at 50-80% of 1-rep max of 10 exercises. Aerobic exercise will consist of treadmill, elliptical, or bike exercise at moderate to vigorous intensity (50-80% of heart rate reserve). Intensity of the exercise sessions will be increased gradually. With 1 min rest between sets, this plan is estimated to take approximately 90 min per session. Sessions will occur 2 times per week for the duration of 1 year.

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Pittsburgh

Lead Sponsor

Trials
1,820
Recruited
16,360,000+

Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH)

Collaborator

Trials
283
Recruited
17,030,000+

Iowa State University

Collaborator

Trials
63
Recruited
145,000+

University of California, Riverside

Collaborator

Trials
33
Recruited
14,400+

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Collaborator

Trials
3,987
Recruited
47,860,000+

Findings from Research

Resistance training has been shown to significantly improve survival rates in patients with coronary heart disease, highlighting its importance in secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.
The review outlines safe practices and specific guidelines for prescribing resistance exercise to cardiac patients, ensuring that the benefits can be maximized while minimizing risks.
Resistance exercise in cardiac rehabilitation.Wise, FM., Patrick, JM.[2011]
Resistance exercise (RE) can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and all-cause mortality, with even just one session per week or less than an hour of exercise showing a 40%-70% decrease in risk compared to no RE.
The benefits of RE on CVD risk are mediated by reductions in body mass index (BMI), indicating that maintaining a healthy weight may enhance the protective effects of resistance exercise.
Associations of Resistance Exercise with Cardiovascular Disease Morbidity and Mortality.Liu, Y., Lee, DC., Li, Y., et al.[2020]
Elderly patients with cardiovascular disease can benefit from cardiac rehabilitation programs just as much as younger patients, despite concerns about their fragility and health risks.
Incorporating resistance exercise training into cardiac rehabilitation is essential for maximizing functional improvements in older patients, highlighting the need for tailored exercise prescriptions to ensure safety and efficacy.
Resistance Exercise in the Elderly Person with Cardiovascular Disease.Braith, RW., Vincent, KR.[2019]

References

Resistance exercise in cardiac rehabilitation. [2011]
Associations of Resistance Exercise with Cardiovascular Disease Morbidity and Mortality. [2020]
Resistance Exercise in the Elderly Person with Cardiovascular Disease. [2019]
Resistance exercise for cardiac rehabilitation. [2023]
Recommendations for resistance exercise in cardiac rehabilitation. Recommendations of the German Federation for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation. [2019]
Hemodynamic responses during aerobic and resistance exercise. [2019]
Health- and performance-related potential of resistance training. [2022]
Resistance Exercise Training in Individuals With and Without Cardiovascular Disease: 2023 Update: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. [2023]
Resistance exercises for health promotion in coronary patients: evidence of benefits and risks. [2011]
Changes in cardiovascular risk factors and inflammatory markers of young, healthy, men after six weeks of moderate or high intensity resistance training. [2017]
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