The goal of this clinical pilot trial is to learn about the feasibility of a high-intensity resistance training intervention in peri- and early menopausal females. The main question it aims to answer are: -Is a 9-month resistance training intervention feasible (e.g., recruitment rates, protocol adherence, attrition) Secondary aims include examining changes in bone health, muscle strength, and menopausal symptoms. Participants will participate in a 9-month progressive, supervised, resistance training intervention. Researchers will compare secondary outcomes between the exercise group and a wait-list control group.
The STOP-EM trial will examine a 9-month supervised, progressive, resistance training program in peri- and early menopausal females. Primary outcomes include recruitment rates, protocol adherence, and attrition. A waitlist control group will allow us to examine the effect of the exercise program on bone density, structure, and strength, muscle strength, and menopausal symptoms. Participants will be randomized to the exercise or control group. The exercise group will attend twice weekly, in-person, supervised, progressive resistance training and build up to 80-90% of estimated 1 repetition maximum (1RM). The study will take place at the University of Calgary. Findings will be used to decide whether to continue to the definitive trial.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
40
Twice weekly resistance training progressing to 5 sets of 5 repetitions of 80-90% of one repetition maximum.
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Feasibility - Recruitment
Recruitment rates - number of participants recruited per month and number of eligible participants who consented.
Time frame: Over 9 months
Feasibility - Adherence
Protocol adherence (number of exercise sessions participants attend) will be expressed as a percent.
Time frame: Over 9 months
Feasibility - Attrition
Attrition (number of randomized participants with valid outcome data) will be expressed as a percent.
Time frame: Over 9 months
Volumetric bone mineral density (BMD)
High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) will assess total, trabecular, and cortical BMD in mg/cm\^3 at the distal tibia and radius.
Time frame: Baseline and 9 months
Bone microarchitecture
HR-pQCT will assess trabecular thickness and separation and cortical bone thickness in mm at the distal tibia and radius.
Time frame: Baseline and 9 months
Bone strength
Finite element analysis will be applied to HR-pQCT images at the distal tibia and radius to estimate bone strength (failure load) in N.
Time frame: Baseline and 9 months
areal bone mineral density
Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) will measure areal bone mineral density (aBMD) in mg/cm\^2 for the left hip (total hip and femoral neck), lumbar spine, and whole body.
Time frame: Baseline and 9 months
Muscle strength
Muscle strength testing will include max voluntary contractions of the knee extensors using an isometric dynamometer. Hand grip strength will be measured using a handgrip dynamometer.
Time frame: Baseline and 9 months
Balance
The four-square-step test assesses dynamic balance.
Time frame: Baseline and 9 months
Aerobic Fitness
The 6-minute walk test assesses aerobic fitness
Time frame: Baseline and 9 months
Estrogen concentration
A blood sample will measure plasma estradiol in pmol/L
Time frame: Baseline and 9 months
Follicle stimulating hormone concentration
A blood sample will measure plasma follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in IU/L
Time frame: Baseline and 9 months
Vitamin D concentration
A blood sample will measure plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D in nmol/L
Time frame: Baseline and 9 months
Calcium concentration
A blood sample will measure plasma calcium in mmol/L
Time frame: Baseline and 9 months
Creatinine concentration
A blood sample will measure plasma creatinine in umol/L
Time frame: Baseline and 9 months
Biomarker of bone resorption
A blood sample will measure plasma c-telopeptide (CTx) in ng/L
Time frame: Baseline and 9 months
Biomarker of bone formation
A blood sample will measure plasma procollagen 1 intact N-terminal propeptide (P1NP) in ug/L
Time frame: Baseline and 9 months
Physical activity
Physical activity will be assessed by wearing an accelerometer for 7 days to assess moderate to vigorous physical activity in minutes per day.
Time frame: Baseline and 9 months
Menopausal quality of life
Menopausal symptoms will be evaluated through the menopause-specific quality of life questionnaire with a minimum score of 0 and maximum score of 174 and a higher score indicating poorer outcomes
Time frame: Baseline and 9 months
Menopausal symptoms
Menopausal symptoms will be evaluated through the menopause symptoms treatment satisfaction questionnaire with a minimum score of 0 and maximum score of 40 and a higher score indicating poorer outcomes
Time frame: 9 months
Body mass
Body mass in kg
Time frame: Baseline and 9 months
Height
Height in cm
Time frame: Baseline and 9 months
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