Effects of Deloading Periods in Resistance Training on Muscular Strength and Hypertrophy (DPRT)

University of Gaziantep

Status: Completed

Conditions: Muscle Hypertrophy in Healthy Young Men

Treatments: Behavioral: Continuous Resistance Training; Behavioral: Resistance Training with Deloading Periods

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06825052

OFS (Registry Identifier)

GAUN-SBF-PANCAR-02

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study investigates the effects of deloading periods (short breaks or reductions in training volume) in a 8-week resistance training program on muscle strength and hypertrophy in young, untrained individuals.

Participants were randomly assigned to two training conditions:

Deload Training Group: Reduced training volume for one week every four weeks. Continuous Training Group: Regular training without reductions. Muscle thickness was measured using ultrasound, and muscle strength was evaluated through a 10-repetition maximum (10RM) test before and after the intervention.

The findings showed that both training strategies led to significant increases in muscle strength and size, with no major differences between groups. This suggests that incorporating deloading periods does not negatively impact muscle development and may serve as an effective alternative for individuals with time constraints or minor injuries.

This study was conducted at Gaziantep University, Faculty of Sports Sciences, with approval from the university's ethics committee.

Full description

This study examines the effects of deloading periods (planned reductions in training volume and frequency) within an 8-week resistance training program on muscle hypertrophy and strength in untrained young individuals.

The study utilized a randomized within-subject design, where each participant's limbs were assigned to one of two conditions:

Deload Training Condition: Training volume and frequency were reduced during Weeks 4 and 8 to allow for recovery.

Continuous Training Condition: No reductions in training volume were applied. The resistance training program included unilateral leg extension and unilateral dumbbell biceps curl exercises performed twice per week. The training intensity was adjusted to ensure participants reached voluntary muscular failure within the 8-12 repetition range.

Assessments & Measurements:

Muscle Hypertrophy: Measured using B-mode ultrasound at different quadriceps and biceps locations.

Muscle Strength: Evaluated through 10-repetition maximum (10RM) testing before and after the intervention.

Statistical Analysis: A 2-way repeated-measures ANOVA was used to compare training conditions, with effect sizes analyzed to determine the significance of adaptations.

The study was approved by the Gaziantep University Health and Sports Sciences Ethics Committee and conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki guidelines.

Enrollment: 19 patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 18 to 25 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy, untrained individuals (no prior structured resistance training experience for at least 6 months).
• Aged between 18-25 years old.
• No current or recent musculoskeletal injuries affecting exercise performance.
• No diagnosed medical conditions that could interfere with resistance training.
• Willing to participate in an 8-week structured resistance training program.
• No use of performance-enhancing drugs, anabolic steroids, or other muscle-growth supplements.

Exclusion criteria

• Individuals with prior resistance training experience within the last 6 months.
• Any current or past musculoskeletal injuries or conditions affecting the lower or upper limbs.
• Any diagnosed metabolic, cardiovascular, or neurological disorders that could affect physical performance.
• Individuals currently taking medications that affect muscle function or recovery.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals.
• Failure to comply with the study protocol (e.g., missing more than 2 training sessions).

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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19 participants in 2 patient groups

Deload Training

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this group followed an 8-week resistance training program with deloading periods every four weeks. During these deload weeks, training volume and intensity were reduced to facilitate recovery while maintaining training adaptations.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Resistance Training with Deloading Periods

Continuous Training

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants in this group followed an 8-week continuous resistance training program with no reductions in training volume or intensity. This group served as a comparison to assess the effects of deloading periods on muscle hypertrophy and strength.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Continuous Resistance Training