120 participants will be randomized into one of two groups that will perform resistance training at a gym three time per week for three months. One group will follow common resistance training guidelines, whereas the other will exercise according to their preferences and perception of effort. The groups will be compared on the following primary outcomes after six and 12 weeks: body composition, physiological and performance tests. The groups will be compared on the following secondary outcomes every two weeks: enjoyment and satisfaction levels. Adherence rates will be measured throughout the intervention.
Develop and test the non-inferiority of a new RT prescription model, entitled The Autonomy and Perceptions Approach to Resistance Training (APART). This approach is simple to follow, individualized, and autonomy supportive. Accordingly, it may assist trainees to overcome some of the limitations of the standard RT prescription approach. Under APART, trainees choose the loads they lift for each exercise according to their preferences, and then complete as many repetitions as required until reaching a specific rating of perceived effort (RPE) value on a 0 (no effort) to 10 (maximal effort) scale (e.g., 8/10). For this non-inferiority randomized controlled trial, the investigators will recruit 120 healthy, sedentary participants, between the ages of 18 and 45, who will be block-randomized by gender and age (18-27, 28-45) to either the APART or the standard groups. Following two baseline-testing sessions and two guided familiarization sessions, participants will independently complete three RT sessions per week for 12 weeks. The following primary outcomes will be assessed after six and 12 weeks: (ⅰ) body composition including fat free mass; (ⅱ) performance measures, including maximal strength and strength endurance; and (ⅲ) physiological measures, including blood profile and hemodynamics. The following secondary outcomes will be measured every two weeks: (ⅳ) psychological measures, including self-efficacy, autonomy, and enjoyment; and (ⅴ) adherence measures, which will be monitored throughout the intervention. If APART will be found to be non-inferior to the standard RT prescription, it can provide a simple and easy to follow alternative to the standard RT prescriptions, which also highlights trainees' preferences and individual abilities. This, in turn, might contribute to future participation and adherence to RT.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Alternative resistance training prescription based on trainees' autonomy and perceptions.
Standard resistance training prescription, based on international organization's guidelines.
Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv, Israel, Israel
Change in systolic blood pressure
Participants will rest in a relaxed seating position for five minutes. Then their blood pressure and resting heart rate will be taken using an Omron M7 (HEM-780-E) blood pressure measuring device.
Time frame: Baseline to twelve weeks
Change in Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) value
The blood samples will be collected by single-use disposable needle. A total of 20 mL of blood will be collected at each time-point in two, 10 mL Vacutainer® tubes: a plasma tube containing anticoagulant and a serum tube where the blood is allowed to clot. Plasma samples will be stored in ice until centrifuged twice at 1,500g for 10 minutes at 4° Celsius. Serum will be kept in room temperature for 60 minutes then centrifuged at 1300g for 10 minutes. Both samples will be divided into separate 1.8-mL microcentrifuge tubes and will be frozen at -80° C for later analysis.
Time frame: Baseline to twelve weeks
Change in fasting glucose value
The blood samples will be collected by single-use disposable needle. A total of 20 mL of blood will be collected at each time-point in two, 10 mL Vacutainer® tubes: a plasma tube containing anticoagulant and a serum tube where the blood is allowed to clot. Plasma samples will be stored in ice until centrifuged twice at 1,500g for 10 minutes at 4° Celsius. Serum will be kept in room temperature for 60 minutes then centrifuged at 1300g for 10 minutes. Both samples will be divided into separate 1.8-mL microcentrifuge tubes and will be frozen at -80° C for later analysis
Time frame: Baseline to twelve weeks
Change in fat free mass
Fat free mass will be measured using the SECA mBCA 515 (Seca, Hamburg, Germany), a valid and reliable analyzer of body composition. Participants will drink 400 ml of water before the examination which will take place in the morning. Drinking will be stopped 30 minutes before the examination and participants will be instructed to urinate and remove any jewelries before the examination.
Time frame: Baseline to twelve weeks
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Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
129
Change in waist circumference
Waist circumference will be measured according to WHO protocol: Participants will expose the area between their ribs and pelvic. The same investigator will measure the distance between the lower end of their ribcage and the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) and measure the waist circumference three times, midway between the two anatomical landmarks. The average value of the three measurements in centimeters will be documented for analysis.
Time frame: Baseline to twelve weeks
Change in maximal muscle strength- One repetition maximum
Participants will perform a dynamic warmup including mobility and calisthenics exercises, followed by specific warm up sets of each of the exercises: Horizontal leg press, knee extension and seated chest press (performed on weight-stack machines). Then, up to five attempts will be made to complete one repetition sets with increasing load until the participant either fails to complete the full range of motion or declares she cannot attempt the next set. The load (in kg) of the final successful attempt for each exercise will be documented for analysis. Two to three minutes rest will be provided between the attempts. The order of the exercises will be maintained throughout the assessment points and between participants. The assessments will be carried out by the same experimenter at the same time of day ±2 hours.
Time frame: Baseline to twelve weeks
Change in muscle endurance
Participants will perform a dynamic warmup including mobility and calisthenics exercises, followed by specific warm up sets of the knee extension and the chest press exercises. Then, 70% of the participant's identified maximal load (1RM) will be used to perform repetitions until task-failure (i.e., not able to complete another repetition). The number of completed repetitions will be documented for analysis. The same reference load will be used at six weeks. The order of the exercises will be maintained throughout the assessment points and between participants. The assessments will be carried out by the same experimenter at the same time of day ±2 hours.
Time frame: Baseline to twelve weeks
Change in maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) - knee extension
Isometric knee extension (using the knee extension machine) - will be assessed in a 90° angle using a link device (Kinvent, Link pull dynamometer) attached to a ratchet belt.
Time frame: Baseline to twelve weeks
Change in self efficacy questionnaire score
The self-efficacy questionnaire is an eight items questionnaire. Respondents are required to read the statements and rate their level of agreement with each statement on a three points Likert scale. Score-range is 8-24. Higher scores indicate higher levels of self-efficacy.
Time frame: Baseline to twelve weeks
Enjoyment
Participants will respond to an online survey examining their levels of enjoyment from the training sessions via a bi-polar scale ranging from -50 ("did not enjoy at all") to 50 ("extremely enjoyed").
Time frame: Six weeks to twelve weeks
Adherence
Number of entries to the gym, documented by the gym front desk
Time frame: End of week 12
Adherence without incentive
Number of entries to the gym, documented by the gym front desk
Time frame: From week 12 to week 24
Change in total cholesterol value
The blood samples will be collected by single-use disposable needle. A total of 20 mL of blood will be collected at each time-point in two, 10 mL Vacutainer® tubes: a plasma tube containing anticoagulant and a serum tube where the blood is allowed to clot. Plasma samples will be stored in ice until centrifuged twice at 1,500g for 10 minutes at 4° Celsius. Serum will be kept in room temperature for 60 minutes then centrifuged at 1300g for 10 minutes. Both samples will be divided into separate 1.8-mL microcentrifuge tubes and will be frozen at -80° C for later analysis
Time frame: Baseline to twelve weeks
Change in maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) - horizontal row
Horizontal row (using the T-bar machine) - will be assessed in a 60° elbow angle using a link device (Kinvent, Link pull dynamometer) attached to a ratchet belt. Participants will lean their chest against the padded cushion with their feet stable on a designated built-in platform. They will pull the T-bar arm using a narrow grip. Their elbow angle will be measured using a goniometer. Then, three attempts will be made using 40%, 70% and 90% of their estimated MVC, followed by three attempts of 100% (i.e., MVC). 60 seconds rest will be provided between attempts. The average of the two high results will be documented for analysis.
Time frame: Baseline to twelve weeks
Change in Hemoglobin
The blood samples will be collected by single-use disposable needle. A total of 20 mL of blood will be collected at each time-point in two, 10 mL Vacutainer® tubes: a plasma tube containing anticoagulant and a serum tube where the blood is allowed to clot. Plasma tubes will be stored in ice and a complete blood count will be done within 60 minutes via Yumizen H500 analyzer.
Time frame: Baseline to twelve weeks
Change in maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) - horizontal row
Isometric horizontal row will be assessed in a 60° elbow flexion angle on the T-bar machine (Nautilus, WA, USA). The same link device will be secured using ratchet belts to match the desired setup for each participant.
Time frame: Baseline to twelve weeks
Change in High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) value
The blood samples will be collected by single-use disposable needle. A total of 20 mL of blood will be collected at each time-point in two, 10 mL Vacutainer® tubes: a plasma tube containing anticoagulant and a serum tube where the blood is allowed to clot. Plasma samples will be stored in ice until centrifuged twice at 1,500g for 10 minutes at 4° Celsius. Serum will be kept in room temperature for 60 minutes then centrifuged at 1300g for 10 minutes. Both samples will be divided into separate 1.8-mL microcentrifuge tubes and will be frozen at -80° C for later analysis.
Time frame: Baseline to twelve weeks
Change in triglycerides value
The blood samples will be collected by single-use disposable needle. A total of 20 mL of blood will be collected at each time-point in two, 10 mL Vacutainer® tubes: a plasma tube containing anticoagulant and a serum tube where the blood is allowed to clot. Plasma samples will be stored in ice until centrifuged twice at 1,500g for 10 minutes at 4° Celsius. Serum will be kept in room temperature for 60 minutes then centrifuged at 1300g for 10 minutes. Both samples will be divided into separate 1.8-mL microcentrifuge tubes and will be frozen at -80° C for later analysis.
Time frame: Baseline to twelve weeks
Change in stroke volume
Participants will wear an FDA approved wristwatch (Biobeat technologies, Petah Tikva, Israel) while resting in a seated position. Measurements will be taken in an urgent mode - every minute for five minutes.
Time frame: Baseline to twelve weeks
Change in fat percentage
Fat percent will be measured using the SECA mBCA 515 (Seca, Hamburg, Germany), a valid and reliable analyzer of body composition. Participants will drink 400 ml of water before the examination which will take place in the morning. Drinking will be stopped 30 minutes before the examination and participants will be instructed to urinate and remove any jewelries before the examination.
Time frame: Baseline to twelve weeks
Change in body mass index (BMI)
Participants' height will be measured using SECA stadiometer, and body weight will be measured using the SECA mBCA 515 (Seca, Hamburg, Germany), a valid and reliable analyzer of body composition. Participants will drink 400 ml of water before the examination which will take place in the morning. Drinking will be stopped 30 minutes before the examination and participants will be instructed to urinate and remove any jewelries before the examination.
Time frame: Baseline to twelve weeks
Change in maximal muscle strength- One repetition maximum - leg curl and shoulder press
Participants will perform a dynamic warmup including mobility and calisthenics exercises, followed by specific warm up sets of each of the exercises leg curl and shoulder press (performed on weight-stack machines). Then, up to five attempts will be made to complete one repetition sets with increasing load until the participant either fails to complete the full range of motion or declares she cannot attempt the next set. The load (in kg) of the final successful attempt for each exercise will be documented for analysis. Two to three minutes rest will be provided between the attempts. The order of the exercises will be maintained throughout the assessment points and between participants. The assessments will be carried out by the same experimenter at the same time of day ±2 hours.
Time frame: Baseline to twelve weeks