Comparison of the Effects of Free Weight and Machine-Based Exercises on Muscular Parameters

Comparison of Free Weight and Machine-Based Exercise Effects on Muscular Parameters

The aim of our study is to compare and investigate the effects of resistance exercises performed with free weights and those performed using machine systems on muscular parameters and neuromuscular control.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Resistance Exercise; Adult; Muscle; Neuromuscular Adaptations
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Free Weight-Based Resistance Training Group; Device: Machine-Based Resistance Exercise Group

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 26
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Begüm Kara Kaya, PhD; Phone Number: +905355720021; Email: bkara@biruni.edu.tr

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Zeytinburnu
    • Istanbul, Zeytinburnu, Turkey (Türkiye), 34015
      • Biruni University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being an individual between the ages of 18-30 years
• Being physically inactive according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form (<600 MET-min/week)
• Residing in Istanbul
• Voluntary participation in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having a neurological or cardiopulmonary system problem that prevents exercise.
• Having mental dysfunction.
• Having an acute musculoskeletal injury which limits exercise participant
• Being pregnant.
• Having answered "YES" to any question on the Exercise Readiness Questionnaire.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Free Weight Resistance Exercise Group	Other: Free Weight-Based Resistance Training Group; Participants will perform supervised resistance exercises using free weights (dumbbells and barbell), including biceps curl, squat, and bench press, at an intensity of 60-80% of one-repetition maximum (1RM), 2 sets of 8-12 repetitions, 3 times per week for 8 weeks.
Experimental: Machine-Based Resistance Exercise Group	Device: Machine-Based Resistance Exercise Group; Participants will perform supervised resistance exercises using weight machines (including machine-based biceps curl, squat, and bench press) at an intensity of 60-80% of one-repetition maximum (1RM), 2 sets of 8-12 repetitions, 3 times per week for 8 weeks.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Muscle Strength	Maximal voluntary strength of major muscle groups (upper and lower extremity) will be measured using 1-repetition maximum (1RM) tests for biceps curl, squat, and bench press. The heaviest weight that can be lifted once with proper form is recorded. Higher values indicate greater muscle strength.	8 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Muscular Endurance - Upper Extremity	Upper extremity endurance will be assessed using the push-up test. Participants perform as many correct repetitions as possible within 1 minute. Higher repetitions indicate greater muscular endurance.	8 weeks
Muscular Endurance - Lower Extremity	Lower extremity endurance will be assessed using the squat test. Participants perform as many correct repetitions as possible in one minute period. Higher repetitions indicate better muscular endurance.	8 weeks
Neuromuscular Control - Upper Extremity	Upper extremity neuromuscular control will be measured using the Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test. Participants perform hand touches over a marked line in 15 seconds. The average number of successful touches over 3 trials is recorded; higher scores indicate better neuromuscular control.	8 weeks
Neuromuscular Control - Lower Extremity	Lower extremity neuromuscular control will be measured using the Y-Balance Test. Participants maintain balance on one leg while reaching with the other leg in three directions (anterior, posteromedial, posterolateral). Average reach distances over 3 trials are recorded. Greater distances indicate better neuromuscular control.	8 weeks
Proprioception - Knee Joint	Knee joint position sense will be assessed using digital goniometry at 15° and 60° flexion. Participants reproduce target angles with eyes closed. Absolute angular error in degrees is recorded; lower errors indicate better proprioception	8 weeks
Proprioception - Elbow Joint	Elbow joint position sense will be assessed using digital goniometry at 30°, 60°, and 90° flexion. Absolute angular error is recorded; lower values indicate better proprioception.	8 weeks
Participant Satisfaction and Perceived Change	Global Rating of Change (GROC) scale will be used. Participants rate perceived improvement after the exercise program on a 7-point numerical scale. Higher scores indicate greater perceived improvement.	Post-intervention (after 8 weeks)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Biruni University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): March 23, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 15, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 21, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 21, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): March 27, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 27, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 21, 2026
• Last Verified: March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: St Project

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