Effects of Short-Term Resistance Training on Diaphragm Thickness, Hepatic Fat Density, and Quality of Life in Healthy Older Men (RT-DIA-OLDER)

Effects of Short-Term Resistance Training on Diaphragm Thickness, Hepatic Fat Density, and Quality of Life in Healthy Older Men: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of a four-week moderate-intensity resistance training program on diaphragm thickness, hepatic fat density, and health-related quality of life in healthy community-dwelling older men aged 60-75 years. Thirty participants were randomly assigned to a resistance training group or control group. Diaphragm thickness and hepatic attenuation were assessed using non-contrast computed tomography, and quality of life was evaluated using the SF-12 questionnaire. The primary outcome was change in diaphragm thickness. Secondary exploratory outcomes included hepatic fat density and SF-12 physical and mental health scores.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Quality of Life; Fatty Liver; Aging; Resistance Training; Older Men
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Resistance Training Group (RT); Other: Control

Detailed Description

Aging is associated with progressive decline in respiratory muscle morphology, metabolic health, and perceived quality of life. While resistance training is well established for peripheral muscle adaptation, its short-term effects on diaphragm morphology and hepatic tissue density remain insufficiently investigated.

This randomized controlled pre-test-post-test trial enrolled 30 healthy men aged 60-75 years. Participants were randomly allocated (1:1) to:

Resistance Training Group (RT) Control Group (CON) The RT group completed a supervised moderate-intensity resistance training program three times per week for four weeks (30-40 minutes/session, RPE 12-15). The control group maintained usual daily activities.

Primary Outcome:

Change in diaphragm thickness (mm) assessed by non-contrast CT

Secondary Outcomes (Exploratory):

Hepatic attenuation (Hounsfield Units) via CT SF-12 Physical Health Score SF-12 Mental Health Score The study was approved by the Hitit University Scientific Research Ethics Committee (2025/0464) and conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 30
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Trabzon, Ordu, Giresun, Rize, Artvin, Gümüşhane
    • Gümüşhane, Trabzon, Ordu, Giresun, Rize, Artvin, Gümüşhane, Turkey (Türkiye), 29600
      • Gumushane Univetsity

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male
• Age 60-75 years
• Community-dwelling and functionally independent
• No structured exercise program in past 6 months
• No musculoskeletal injury in past 6 months
• Ability to provide written informed consent
• Stable neuropsychological status

Exclusion Criteria:

• Chronic liver disease
• Uncontrolled cardiovascular or pulmonary disease
• Recent respiratory infection
• Use of medications affecting muscle or liver metabolism (e.g., systemic corticosteroids, anabolic agents, hepatotoxic drugs)
• Participation in structured exercise or respiratory training within past 6 months
• Unstable thyroid hormone replacement therapy

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Resistance Training Group (RT); Participants performed supervised resistance training three times per week for four weeks. Each session lasted 30-40 minutes and included: Lower body exercises (sit-to-stand, step-ups, glute bridge) Upper body exercises (wall push-ups, resistance band row, biceps curl) Core exercises Breathing exercises (diaphragmatic breathing, pursed-lip breathing) Warm-up protocol (10 minutes dynamic mobility) Intensity: Borg RPE 12-15 Rest interval: 60 seconds between sets	Behavioral: Resistance Training Group (RT); Structured Moderate-Intensity Resistance Training; Other: Control; Participants maintained their usual daily routines without structured exercise intervention.
No Intervention: CONTROL; Participants maintained their usual daily routines without structured exercise intervention.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Diaphragm Thickness	Diaphragm thickness measured in millimeters using non-contrast computed tomography at full inspiration.	4 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Hepatic Fat Density	Measurement: CT attenuation (Hounsfield Units) Single ROI in segment VIII	4 weeks
SF-12 Physical Health Score	Instrument: Short Form-12 Health Survey The physical and mental health scores of the SF-12 subdimensions range from 0 to 100, with higher scores representing better health.	4 weeks
SF-12 Mental Health Score	Instrument: Short Form-12 Health Survey The physical and mental health scores of the SF-12 subdimensions range from 0 to 100, with higher scores representing better health.	4 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Gümüşhane Universıty

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 10, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): July 25, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): August 10, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 27, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 27, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): March 4, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 5, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 3, 2026
• Last Verified: March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Quality of life; Aging; Resistance training; Fatty liver; Older men; Diaphragm thickness
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Digestive System Diseases; Liver Diseases; Fatty Liver
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2025/019

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Individual participant data will not be shared due to the absence of prior consent for data sharing and the potential risk of re-identification in a small, single-center sample. Only aggregate results will be disseminated.

Drug and device information, study documents

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