Effects of Weekly Set Volume on Muscle Adaptation

January 26, 2026 updated by: Andreo Fernando Aguiar, Universidade Norte do Paraná

The Effect of Weekly Set Volume of Resistance Training on Strength and Hypertrophy

The progressive loss of strength and muscle mass is a natural aging process, with direct implications for functional capacity. Resistance training (RT) is considered the main intervention to counteract this decline. Although the RT guidelines are well established, the ideal weekly set volume to maximize strength and hypertrophy gains in older adults remains unknown. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of different volumes of weekly sets of RT on muscle strength and hypertrophy in older adults

Study Overview

Status

Enrolling by invitation

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

BACKGROUND: The progressive loss of strength and muscle mass is a natural process of aging, with direct implications for functional capacity. Resistance training (RT) is considered the main intervention to counteract this decline. Although RT guidelines are well established, the ideal weekly volume of sets to maximize strength and hypertrophy gains in older adults remains unknown. PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of different weekly RT volumes on lower limb muscle strength and hypertrophy (quadriceps femoris) in older adults. METHODS: Fifty-seven older adults of both sexes will be matched for maximum dynamic strength (one repetition maximum - 1RM) and randomly divided into 03 groups: [Low Volume (LV = 6 sets/week, n = 19), Moderate Volume (MV = 18 sets/week, n = 19) and High Volume (LV = 30 sets/week, n = 18)]. All participants will undergo a 10-week resistance training protocol (3x/week), consisting of 8 exercises: bench press, leg press, seated row, leg extension, bicep curl, leg curl, triceps pulley, and seated calf raise. Only the leg extension and leg press exercises will be performed with different volumes of sets (VB = 1 set/exercise; VM = 3 sets/exercise; VA = 5 sets/exercise). The number of repetitions per set will be 8-12, and the training load will be adjusted every two weeks based on the maximum number of repetitions performed in the last training session. The following dependent variables will be analyzed before and after the training program: (1) maximum dynamic strength (1RM) and (2) maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) in the leg extension exercise, (3) muscle hypertrophy (thickness) of the quadriceps muscle and rectus femorisusing ultrasound images, and (4) rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and (5) affective responses (pleasure and displeasure) after training sessions. Data will be tested for normality and homogeneity using the Shapiro-Wilk's and Levene's tests, respectively. Changes over time and between groups will be analyzed with two-way repeated measures ANOVA tests. Violation of sphericity was corrected using the Greenhouse-Geisser method. When significant differences will be confirmed with the ANOVA, multiple comparison testing will be performed using the Bonferroni post hoc correction to identify these differences. Values will be expressed as mean (standard deviation and 95% confidence interval). The significance level was set at p < 0.05.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

57

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Brazil
    • Paraná
      • Londrina, Paraná, Brazil, 86047-622
        • Northern University of Paraná

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age between 65 and 80 years

Exclusion Criteria:

  • not having used any medication or substance that affects or improves muscle function for at least 3 months prior to the study,
  • having any physical or physiological limitation that may affect the ability to perform the tests and physical training,
  • not being able to understand the informed consent form and study procedures.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Basic Science
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Low Volume (LV)
Participants will be performed 6 sets/week
Other: Low volume (LV)
Participants will be performed 6 sets/week during 10 weeks
Experimental: Moderate Volume (MV)
Participants will be performed 18 sets/week
Other: Moderate Volume (MV)
Participants will be performed 18 sets/week during 10 weeks
Experimental: High Volume (HV)
Participants will be performed 30 sets/week
Other: High Volume (HV)
Participants will be performed 30 sets/week during 10 weeks

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Maximum dynamic strength (1RM)
Time Frame: baseline and after 10 weeks of intervention
The one-repetition maximum test will be performed on a bilateral leg extension machine. Briefly, participants will undergo 3 test attempts, interspersed with 5-minute intervals. Loads of 10-15% will be added after each attempt in order to reach the 1RM load within the 3 trials. Participants will be verbally encouraged during each attempt.
baseline and after 10 weeks of intervention
Maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC)
Time Frame: baseline and after 10 weeks of intervention
The MVIC test for the leg extension exercise (bilateral) will be performed using an isometric dynamometer (CEFISE Biotechnology, São Carlos, Brazil). Briefly, participants will perform three MVICs at 120º of knee flexion (180º = full extension) lasting 5 s, interspersed with 5 s of rest. Participants will be instructed and verbally encouraged to exert maximum force during all attempts. The highest value obtained for peak and mean torque of the three MVICs will be used for the analysis.
baseline and after 10 weeks of intervention
Muscle hypertrophy (thickness)
Time Frame: baseline and after 10 weeks of intervention
Muscle hypertrophy (thickness) of the quadriceps and rectus femoris muscles will be assessed using ultrasound images obtained at 3 anatomical points (30, 50, and 60% of the distance between the greater trochanter of the femur and the knee joint line). Muscle thickness will be analyzed using the image analysis program (ImageJ®).
baseline and after 10 weeks of intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Rating of perceive exterion (RPE)
Time Frame: Immediately after completion of each set of exercise
Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) will be recorded immediately after completion of each set using the OMNI-RES scale. The participants will be instructed to report the perceived exertion value by indicating a number on the OMNI-RES scale (0 for ''no effort'' and 10 for ''maximal effort'') that best represented their momentary exertion.
Immediately after completion of each set of exercise
Affective responses (pleasure and displeasure)
Time Frame: Immediately after each exercise during training sessions
The affective response will be assessed using an 11-point affectivity scale, ranging from +5 to -5, with a score of zero considered neutral, positive numbers (+1 to +5) representing feelings of pleasure, and negative numbers (-1 to -5) representing feelings of displeasure.
Immediately after each exercise during training sessions

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Universidade Norte do Paraná

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

January 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

April 6, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

April 10, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

January 7, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 26, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

January 30, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

January 30, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 26, 2026

Last Verified

January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • Weekly set volume study

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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