Upper Versus Lower Limb Responses to Higher Versus Lower Load Resistance Training in Young Men

Variability in Resistance Training-induced Hypertrophy and Strength Are Independent of Load and Limb Location in Healthy Young Men

Recent research suggests that performing resistance exercise training with relatively light loads is equally as effective at increasing muscle mass and muscle strength as performing resistance exercise training with relatively heavy loads. Whether or not performing resistance exercise with relatively heavy loads or light loads is equally as effective between the upper- and lower-body within the same individual has never been investigated. Given the substantial individual variance in resistance exercise training-induced changes in muscle mass and strength, this study is designed to quantify the relative influence that extrinsic training variables (e.g., load), as opposed to intrinsic muscle-based predisposition, has on resistance training-induced changes in muscle mass and muscle strength.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Muscle Strength; Muscle Hypertrophy
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Unilateral resistance exercise

Detailed Description

Each participant will come to the Exercise Metabolism Research Laboratory gym three times per week for 10 weeks to perform lower- and upper-body resistance exercise training with both relatively heavy- (~80% one repetition maximum [1RM]) and light- (~40 %1RM) loads. One arm and one leg will be randomized to lift with relatively heavy loads such that the other arm and leg will be randomized to lift with relatively light loads. Each workout will be supervised by a study investigator.

The time commitment of this study is 12 weeks (including pre- and post-study testing). Each workout to take 30 minutes and, with testing days included, the investigators foresee a total time commitment of 41 hours, or just under three and half hours per week.

The pre- and post-study measurements include muscle biopsies, dual x-ray absorptiometry scans, ultrasonography scans, 1RM assessment, and maximum voluntary contraction assessment. The muscle biopsies will be taken from each of the participant's vastus lateralis to assess muscle fibre cross sectional area in both legs during the beginning (four biopsies) and end (four biopsies) of the intervention. The dual x-ray absorptiometry scans are used to assess body composition and will be done pre- and post-intervention. The ultrasonography scans will be used to assess biceps brachii and vastus laterals thickness and cross sectional area. The ultrasound scans will be assessed during the beginning (four scans) and end (four scans) of the intervention. The 1RM assessment will include 1RM testing on a knee extension machine and biceps curl machine and will be done at the beginning and end of the intervention. The maximum voluntary contraction assessment will be performed on a System 3 Biodex Dynamometer (Shirley, NY, USA), which is an immovable machine that the participants contract against to measure their peak force. The maximum voluntary contractions will be recorded three times: twice at the beginning of the intervention and once at the end of the intervention.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 20
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Canada
  • Ontario
    • Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, L8S 4K1
      • Exercise Metabolism Research Laboratory, McMaster Univeristy

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 30 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: Male

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Be between the ages of 18-30 years (inclusive)
• Be able to maintain a habitual diet and perform resistance exercise three times per week throughout the trial
• Be in general good health (assessed by Get Active Questionnaire)
• Understand the study procedures and sign this form providing informed consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Use of tobacco or related products
• A history of neuromuscular problems or muscle and/or bone wasting diseases
• Any acute or chronic illness; cardiac, pulmonary, liver, or kidney abnormalities; insulin- or non-insulin-dependent diabetes or other metabolic disorders (all ascertained through medical questionnaires)
• Use of medications known to affect protein metabolism (i.e. corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (prescription use or daily use of over the counter medication), or prescription strength acne medications)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Higher Load; One arm and one leg were randomized (based on limb dominance) to perform unilateral biceps curls (arm) and knee extensions (leg) with relatively higher loads (80 % of their one-repetition maximum).	Behavioral: Unilateral resistance exercise; The participants performed three sets of their unilateral resistance exercise (biceps curls and knee extensions) three times per week for 10 weeks.
Experimental: Lower Load; The other arm and leg were randomized (based on limb dominance) to perform unilateral biceps curls (arm) and knee extensions (leg) with relatively higher loads (80 % of their one-repetition maximum).	Behavioral: Unilateral resistance exercise; The participants performed three sets of their unilateral resistance exercise (biceps curls and knee extensions) three times per week for 10 weeks.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in fat-free mass	Measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry pre- and post-training	up to 12 weeks
Change in vastus lateralis thickness	Measured by ultrasonography pre- and post-training	up to 12 weeks
Change in vastus lateralis cross sectional area	Measured by ultrasonography pre- and post-training	up to 12 weeks
Change in biceps brachii thickness	Measured by ultrasonography pre- and post-training	up to 12 weeks
Change in biceps brachii cross sectional area	Measured by ultrasonography pre- and post-training	up to 12 weeks
Change in muscle fibre cross sectional area	Measured by muscle biopsies from the vastus lateralis pre- and post-training	up to 12 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: McMaster University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Stuart Phillips, PhD, McMaster University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 1, 2018
• Primary Completion (Actual): October 5, 2018
• Study Completion (Actual): October 5, 2018

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 17, 2019
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 19, 2019
• First Posted (Actual): June 20, 2019

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 20, 2019
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 19, 2019
• Last Verified: June 1, 2019

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Hypertrophy
• Other Study ID Numbers: HIREB 4774

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: No individual participant data will be made available to other researchers

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No