Reduction in Resistance Training Volume and Neuromuscular Adaptations in Older Adults

University of Sao Paulo

Status: Invitation-only

Conditions: Sarcopenia in Elderly; Dynapenia

Treatments: Behavioral: Resistance Training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07046130

VRSETS6070

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate how reducing resistance training volume affects neuromuscular adaptations in older adults aged 60 to 70 years. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Can strength and muscle adaptations be maintained with lower training volume?

Does reducing training volume influence muscle power and hypertrophy in older adults?

Researchers will compare two groups:

A group that reduces training volume in one or both legs

A group that maintains the same training volume in both legs to see if reducing volume leads to different neuromuscular outcomes.

Participants will:

Complete an initial 10-week strength training program (2x/week) using unilateral leg press and knee extension machines, performing 3 sets per exercise

Undergo tests for muscle strength (1-RM), muscle thickness (ultrasound), and power (isokinetic dynamometry) at weeks 0, 5, and 10

After 10 weeks, be randomly assigned to:

A reduced-volume group: one leg does 2 sets and the other 1 set per exercise

Or a control group: both legs continue doing 3 sets

Continue training for another 10 weeks under the assigned protocol

Repeat strength, muscle thickness, and power assessments at weeks 5 and 10 of phase 2

Attend a dietary intake interview with a registered dietitian

This study will help determine the minimum effective training volume needed to maintain strength and muscle health in older adults, potentially improving long-term adherence to exercise programs.

Full description

Aging is associated with a progressive decline in muscle strength, muscle mass, and power, which can negatively affect functional capacity and quality of life in older adults. Resistance training (RT) is widely recognized as an effective intervention to mitigate these neuromuscular declines; however, adherence and long-term sustainability of high-volume RT programs can be challenging in this population due to reduced recovery capacity and potential lifestyle constraints. In this context, identifying the minimum effective training volume necessary to maintain neuromuscular adaptations is essential, as lower volumes may increase adherence among older adults. Therefore, this randomized, controlled clinical trial aims to investigate the effect of reducing RT volume on neuromuscular outcomes in older adults aged 60 to 70 years. The study will be conducted in two phases. In Phase 1, all participants will complete a 10-week RT program (2 sessions/week), performing three sets of unilateral leg press and knee extension exercises, with assessments of strength (1RM), muscle thickness (via ultrasound), power (via isokinetic dynamometry), body composition (via DXA), and dietary intake (via 24-hour recall) conducted at baseline, week 5, and week 10. Participants will be familiarized with the training procedures, and reliability in strength testing will be confirmed prior to the intervention. In Phase 2, participants will be randomized according to the delta (%) change in knee extension 1RM and assigned to one of two groups: a reduced-volume group, in which one leg performs two sets and the other one set (intra-subject design), or a control group maintaining three sets per leg. This second phase will also last 10 weeks, with follow-up assessments at weeks 5 and 10. The unilateral training design allows for within-subject comparisons to assess the impact of reduced volume, and the control group allows for between-group analysis, facilitating the identification of individual responses and determining whether neuromuscular adaptations can be maintained with lower training volumes after a standard RT protocol.

Enrollment: 45 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 60 to 70 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Men and women aged between 60 and 70 years
• No participation in a regular resistance training program in the past six months
• Cleared for physical activity according to the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q)

Exclusion criteria

• Musculoskeletal limitations that prevent participation in the training program
• Uncontrolled systemic arterial hypertension (resting systolic blood pressure >160 mmHg and/or diastolic >90 mmHg)
• Uncontrolled chronic diseases (e.g., heart failure, kidney disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus)
• Current diagnosis of cancer
• Unintentional weight loss of more than 3 kg in the past three months

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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45 participants in 2 patient groups

Reduced Volume - 2 Sets and 1 Set (RV2SETS/RV1SET)

Experimental group

Description:

This group will follow a reduced-volume training protocol in both legs, allowing for an intra-subject comparison. One leg will perform two sets per exercise (RV2SETS), and the other leg will perform only one set per exercise (RV1SET). This design will help assess whether neuromuscular adaptations can be maintained with lower training volume in older adults. These participants will train twice per week for 10 weeks, performing unilateral leg press and unilateral knee extension exercises with two different set volumes (1 vs. 2 sets), one for each leg.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Resistance Training

Maintained Volume - 3 Sets (MV3SETS)

Active Comparator group

Description:

This group will continue training with the same volume used during the initial phase of the study, which is three sets per exercise for both legs. This protocol aligns with standard resistance training guidelines for older adults aiming to promote strength and muscle maintenance. These participants will perform three sets of unilateral leg press and unilateral knee extension exercises, twice per week, for 10 weeks.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Resistance Training