Resistance Exercise for Healthy Children

(Strength-Lip Trial)

Recruiting at 3 trial locations

Overseen By Trent J Herda

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Kansas Medical Center

Disqualifiers: Neuromuscular, Musculoskeletal, Metabolic, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 8 weeks

30 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is examine the effects of 8 weeks (3 days/week) of resistance exercise training in children 8 to 10 years of age on muscle strength and power, motor unit activation, and lipid profiles of the vastus lateralis.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What safety data exists for resistance training in children?

Resistance training is recognized as safe and beneficial for children and adolescents when properly supervised and designed. It can improve muscular strength, body composition, and reduce sports-related injuries. National organizations and pediatricians support its safety, provided programs are well-structured and led by qualified professionals. However, more research is needed, especially in obese youth, to fully understand its effects. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is resistance exercise training a promising treatment for healthy children?

Yes, resistance exercise training is promising for healthy children. It can increase their strength and power, improve body composition, enhance bone health, and reduce sports injuries. It also helps overweight children improve their physical and mental health. Overall, it supports better fitness and confidence in various activities. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

What data supports the idea that Resistance Exercise for Healthy Children is an effective treatment?

The available research shows that resistance exercise for healthy children can increase muscular strength and power, improve body composition, and enhance bone health. It also helps reduce sports-related injuries and improves fitness levels and movement skills. Compared to other treatments, resistance training is particularly beneficial for overweight and obese children, as it positively impacts both their physical and mental health. Additionally, it is safe when properly supervised, and longer programs tend to show better results. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for healthy children aged 8 to 10 years who are interested in participating in an 8-week strength training program. The study aims to understand how this exercise affects muscle strength, power, and fat content within muscles.

Inclusion Criteria

I am a healthy child aged 8 to 10.

Exclusion Criteria

I do not have any neuromuscular diseases.

I do not have any diseases that affect my metabolism.

I have no history of bone or muscle injuries.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo 8 weeks of resistance exercise training, 3 days per week, to assess effects on muscle strength, power, and lipid profiles

8 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in muscle cross-sectional area, motor unit activation, and lipid profiles after the intervention

1 week

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Resistance exercise training

Trial Overview The intervention being studied is resistance exercise training conducted three times a week over the course of eight weeks. Researchers will monitor changes in muscle strength, motor skills, and lipid profiles within a specific leg muscle called the vastus lateralis.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Resistance exercise training Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Kansas Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

527

Recruited

181,000+

National Strength and Conditioning Association Foundation

Collaborator

Trials

4

Recruited

110+

National Strength and Conditioning Association

Collaborator

Published Research Related to This Trial

Regular resistance training for children and adolescents can enhance muscular strength, improve body composition, promote bone health, and reduce the risk of sports-related injuries.

Effective pediatric resistance training programs should be well-designed and supervised by qualified professionals to ensure they meet the unique physical and psychosocial needs of young athletes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pediatric resistance training: benefits, concerns, and program design considerations. Faigenbaum, AD., Myer, GD.[2022]

Resistance training is increasingly recognized as a vital component of physical education and fitness programs for youth, addressing health issues related to inactivity and obesity.

The updated policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes the safety and benefits of resistance training for both athletes and nonathletes, highlighting the need for effective implementation in youth fitness regimens.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Resistance Training for Children and Adolescents. Stricker, PR., Faigenbaum, AD., McCambridge, TM.[2020]

Resistance training is a safe and effective method for conditioning children and adolescents, supported by extensive evidence since 1989.

Incorporating resistance training into youth fitness programs is crucial for developing muscular strength and motor skills, which are essential for confident participation in various physical activities and sports later in life.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Youth resistance training: past practices, new perspectives, and future directions. Faigenbaum, AD., Lloyd, RS., Myer, GD.[2019]

Resistance training significantly improves strength and has a small to moderate positive effect on body composition in overweight and obese children and adolescents, based on a systematic review of 40 studies.

The impact of resistance training on psychosocial outcomes remains unclear due to limited studies and inconclusive results, indicating a need for further research in this area.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

What is the effect of resistance training on the strength, body composition and psychosocial status of overweight and obese children and adolescents? A Systematic review and meta-analysis. Schranz, N., Tomkinson, G., Olds, T.[2022]

Children can achieve voluntary strength gains through resistance training, but exercise programs must be tailored specifically for their developmental needs, using lighter weights (greater than 6 repetitions maximum).

Longer resistance training programs (10-20 weeks) are more effective for strength adaptations, and with proper supervision, the risk of injury is low, potentially providing protective benefits for young athletes in sports.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Resistance Training and Youth. Kraemer, WJ., Fry, AC., Frykman, PN., et al.[2023]

A systematic review of 12 studies indicates that while there is some evidence suggesting children and adolescents can gain metabolic health benefits from supervised resistance training, the evidence is limited and not definitive.

The current research has methodological limitations, highlighting the need for better-designed randomized controlled trials to accurately assess the effects of resistance training on metabolic health in young populations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of resistance training on metabolic fitness in children and adolescents: a systematic review. Benson, AC., Torode, ME., Fiatarone Singh, MA.[2018]

Resistance training is recognized as a safe and effective exercise for improving muscular strength and body composition in children and adolescents, particularly when a sufficient exercise stimulus is applied.

Current research on resistance training in obese adolescents is limited by small sample sizes and short-duration studies, highlighting the need for more comprehensive investigations to better understand its effects on this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A review of resistance exercise training in obese adolescents. Alberga, AS., Sigal, RJ., Kenny, GP.[2011]

Strength training can be safe and beneficial for children and adolescents when properly supervised and tailored to their developmental level, helping to improve strength, coordination, and overall fitness.

The review emphasizes the importance of pediatricians providing informed guidance on strength training programs, addressing both potential risks and the positive impacts on physical health and athletic performance.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Strength training by children and adolescents. Bernhardt, DT., Gomez, J., Johnson, MD., et al.[2019]

Citations

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

Pediatric resistance training: benefits, concerns, and program design considerations. [2022]

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

Resistance Training for Children and Adolescents. [2020]

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

Youth resistance training: past practices, new perspectives, and future directions. [2019]

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

What is the effect of resistance training on the strength, body composition and psychosocial status of overweight and obese children and adolescents? A Systematic review and meta-analysis. [2022]

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

Resistance Training and Youth. [2023]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of resistance training on metabolic fitness in children and adolescents: a systematic review. [2018]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A review of resistance exercise training in obese adolescents. [2011]

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

Strength training by children and adolescents. [2019]