Progressive Resistance Training for Aging

(BRIO Trial)

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Amanda Tweed

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Mayo Clinic

Must not be taking: Anticoagulants, Antiplatelets, Anabolic steroids, others

Disqualifiers: Osteoarthritis, Heart disease, Diabetes, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 6 months

300 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that you stop taking certain medications, such as anti-coagulant or anti-platelet therapy, anabolic steroids, growth hormone, replacement androgen therapy, anti-androgen therapy, and weight loss medications. If you are on any of these, you would need to stop them to participate.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Health Education, Progressive Resistance Training for aging?

Research shows that progressive resistance training can significantly improve muscle strength and size in older adults, which helps maintain independence and counteracts age-related muscle loss. Studies have demonstrated substantial increases in muscle strength and size after 8 to 12 weeks of training, making it an effective treatment for aging-related decline. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is progressive resistance training safe for older adults?

Progressive resistance training is generally safe for older adults, but there are some concerns about its use in frail populations. Studies have shown it can improve muscle strength and size, but it's important to monitor for any adverse events, especially in more vulnerable groups. ^{2 3 4 6 7}

How does progressive resistance training differ from other treatments for aging?

Progressive resistance training is unique because it specifically targets muscle strength and functional performance in older adults, helping to counteract age-related muscle loss and improve overall physical function. Unlike other treatments, it involves structured exercise routines that progressively increase in difficulty, which can lead to significant improvements in muscle size and strength. ^{1 2 3 4 7}

What is the purpose of this trial?

To critically examine biological, clinical, and behavioral modulators of progressive resistance training-associated exercise response heterogeneity in physical function and whole-body metabolism in older adults.

Research Team

Nathan LeBrasseur, Ph.D, MS

Principal Investigator

Mayo Clinic

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for sedentary adults aged 65 or older who are at risk of mobility disability but can still perform some physical activities. They should not be engaged in regular moderate exercise, have no recent participation in other trials, and must be willing to attend sessions at the clinical sites.

Inclusion Criteria

Sedentary individuals identified using the Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors physical activity questionnaire to exclude those engaged in regular (125 min/week or more) moderate intensity physical activity

I am 65 years old or older.

I am at risk of having difficulty moving around, as shown by my SPPB score.

Exclusion Criteria

Unwillingness to provide informed consent

Participation in a lifestyle or pharmacologic intervention trial or structured program of exercise training in the past 6 months

Clinically significant abnormality in any screening laboratory values deemed concerning for study participation by the study physician

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in progressive resistance training or health education sessions

6 months

3 visits per week for exercise group, 1 visit per week for education group

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in physical function and metabolic health

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Health Education
• Progressive Resistance Training

Trial Overview The study is testing how different biological and lifestyle factors affect older adults' responses to progressive resistance training aimed at improving physical function and metabolism. Participants will either receive health education or engage in high-intensity endurance or resistance training.

Participant Groups

Group I: Progressive Resistance Training Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

participants will attend exercise session 3 times per week.

Group II: Health Education Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

participants will attend health educations classed 1 time per week.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Mayo Clinic

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,427

Recruited

3,221,000+

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Collaborator

Trials

1,841

Recruited

28,150,000+

Tufts University Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

90+

Findings from Research

Progressive resistance training significantly improves muscle strength and functional performance in older adults aged 80 to 89, even in those with chronic diseases and sedentary lifestyles, based on a review of 13 studies.

The training led to better outcomes in activities such as chair stands, stair climbing, gait speed, and balance, suggesting that this type of exercise is crucial for maintaining independence in daily activities for institutionalized elderly individuals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of progressive resistance training interventions in older adults in nursing homes: a systematic review. Valenzuela, T.[2022]

Progressive resistance training is safe and well-accepted for older adults in a post-acute inpatient setting, with no serious adverse events reported during the study involving 33 patients.

The study showed good adherence (63%) and retention (82%) rates, indicating that older patients can engage with this type of training, although no significant differences in clinical outcomes were found between the treatment and control groups after six weeks.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Progressive resistance training in a post-acute, older, inpatient setting: A randomised controlled feasibility study. Coleman, SA., Cunningham, CJ., Murphy, N., et al.[2022]

In a study involving 82 healthy older adults over 11 weeks of resistance training, all four methods of load progression (percent 1RM, RPE, RM, and RiR) were found to be equally effective in improving muscle strength and functional performance.

The RPE method was preferred by participants as it was perceived as more tolerable and enjoyable, making it the optimal choice for encouraging continued participation in resistance training among older adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Optimal Approach to Load Progressions during Strength Training in Older Adults. Buskard, ANL., Jacobs, KA., Eltoukhy, MM., et al.[2020]

In a study involving 167 older adults aged 65 to 96, group-based resistance training significantly improved lower-body flexibility, strength, and agility compared to home-based resistance training and walking programs.

Both home-based and group-based resistance training showed benefits in strength and flexibility, while the walking program did not lead to any improvements, highlighting the effectiveness of resistance training for functional performance in older adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of the effects of a home-based and group-based resistance training program on functional ability in older adults. Cyarto, EV., Brown, WJ., Marshall, AL., et al.[2008]

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]

A 9-month trial involving 91 frail elderly participants showed that 3 months of supervised progressive resistance training (PRT) significantly improved muscle strength and increased fat-free mass compared to a control group.

Despite these improvements in strength and fat-free mass, PRT did not lead to significant changes in total or abdominal fat mass, indicating that while PRT is effective for building muscle, it may not be sufficient for fat loss in frail elderly individuals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of progressive resistance training on body composition in frail older adults: results of a randomized, controlled trial. Binder, EF., Yarasheski, KE., Steger-May, K., et al.[2022]

References

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

Efficacy of progressive resistance training interventions in older adults in nursing homes: a systematic review. [2022]

2. Greece pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Progressive resistance training in a post-acute, older, inpatient setting: A randomised controlled feasibility study. [2022]

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

Optimal Approach to Load Progressions during Strength Training in Older Adults. [2020]

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

The role of progressive resistance training and nutrition in the preservation of lean body mass in the elderly. [2019]

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

Comparison of the effects of a home-based and group-based resistance training program on functional ability in older adults. [2008]

6. 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]

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

Effects of progressive resistance training on body composition in frail older adults: results of a randomized, controlled trial. [2022]