NCT06619444

Brief Summary

A large body of evidence indicates numerous health benefits of physical activity, including prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death in the US. This evidence has led to US Physical Activity Guidelines that recommend ≥150 min/week of moderate or ≥75 min/week of vigorous aerobic exercise (AE), plus resistance exercise (RE; such as weight lifting) on ≥2 days/week. To date, current research has mostly focused on AE, and we know a great deal about the dose-response relation between AE and health, resulting in clear and practical guidance to the public on the recommended "dose" in min/week. However, currently far less is known about the dose-response for RE: ≥2 days/week are recommended, but with no duration specified. Thus, this project aims to provide clarity on the dose relationship between RE and health. This project will significantly contribute to developing more effective CVD prevention approaches, advancing prescriptive intervention guidelines, by helping to fill the important gaps in knowledge on effective minimum dose, beneficial optimal dose, and safe maximum dose of RE for CVD prevention. Thus, advancing prescriptive intervention guidelines, and provide important insights for future science of physical activity and health.

Trial Health

77
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
240

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
19mo left

Started Dec 2024

Typical duration for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress48%
Dec 2024Dec 2027

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

September 26, 2024

Completed
5 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

October 1, 2024

Completed
2 months until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

December 3, 2024

Completed
2.5 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

June 1, 2027

Expected
6 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

December 1, 2027

Last Updated

August 12, 2025

Status Verified

August 1, 2025

Enrollment Period

2.5 years

First QC Date

September 26, 2024

Last Update Submit

August 7, 2025

Conditions

Keywords

Exercise

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Change from baseline in composite cardiovascular risk score at 6 months

    The primary outcome will be change from baseline to 6 months in the average composite cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk z-score comprising systolic Blood pressure (SBP), Low-Density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), fasting glucose, and percent body fat; lower scores indicate better overall CVD risk profile. Each CVD risk factor at baseline and 6 months will be individually standardized to sex-specific z -scores with a mean of 0 and standard deviation (SD) of 1 based on the formula (observed value-mean)/SD for each participant, using the baseline means and SDs from the entire sample.

    Baseline and 6 months

Secondary Outcomes (2)

  • Change from baseline in arterial stiffness at 6 months

    Baseline and 6 months

  • Change from baseline in inflammatory markers at 6 months

    Baseline and 6 months

Other Outcomes (1)

  • Adherence to resistance exercise associated with dose prescription at 12 months

    6 months and 12 months

Study Arms (4)

Aerobic Exercise (AE) only

EXPERIMENTAL

Aerobic exercise (AE) training will consist of 60 min of treadmill, elliptical, or bike exercise at a moderate to vigorous (50-80% of heart rate reserve). Intensity of the exercise sessions will be built of gradually. Sessions will occur 2 times per week for the duration of the year.

Behavioral: Aerobic exercise only

30 min of resistance exercise (RE)

EXPERIMENTAL

30 min of resistance exercise (RE) will consist of 30 total minutes of resistance exercise each week (15 min each session) in addition to 60 min of aerobic exercise (AE) each week (30 min each session). Each 15 min session of RE will consist of 2 sets of 8-15 repetitions at 50-80% of 1-rep max of 4 exercises. AE will consist of treadmill, elliptical, or bike exercise at moderate to vigorous intensity (50-80% of heart rate reserve). Intensity of the exercise sessions will be increased gradually. With 1 min rest between sets, this plan is estimated to take approximately 45 min per session. Sessions will occur 2 times per week for the duration of 1 year.

Behavioral: 30 min of resistance exercise

60 min of resistance exercise (RE)

EXPERIMENTAL

60 min of resistance exercise (RE) will consist of 60 total minutes of resistance exercise each week (30 min each session) in addition to 60 min of aerobic exercise each week (30 min each session). Each 30 min session of resistance exercise will consist of 2 sets of 8-15 repetitions at 50-80% of 1-rep max of 8 exercises. Aerobic exercise will consist of treadmill, elliptical, or bike exercise at moderate to vigorous intensity (50-80% of heart rate reserve). Intensity of the exercise sessions will be increased gradually. With 1 min rest between sets, this plan is estimated to take approximately 60 min per session. Sessions will occur 2 times per week for the duration of 1 year.

Behavioral: 60 min of resistance exercise

120 min of resistance exercise (RE)

EXPERIMENTAL

120 min of resistance exercise (RE) will consist of 120 total minutes of resistance exercise each week (60 min each session) in addition to 60 min of aerobic exercise each week (30 min each session). Each 60 min session of resistance exercise will consist of 3 sets of 8-15 repetitions at 50-80% of 1-rep max of 10 exercises. Aerobic exercise will consist of treadmill, elliptical, or bike exercise at moderate to vigorous intensity (50-80% of heart rate reserve). Intensity of the exercise sessions will be increased gradually. With 1 min rest between sets, this plan is estimated to take approximately 90 min per session. Sessions will occur 2 times per week for the duration of 1 year.

Behavioral: 120 min of resistance exercise

Interventions

Aerobic exercise training will consist of 60 min of treadmill, elliptical, or bike exercise at a moderate to vigorous (50-80% of heart rate reserve). Intensity of the exercise sessions will be built of gradually. Sessions will occur 2 times per week for the duration of the year trial

Also known as: Aerobic Exercise
Aerobic Exercise (AE) only

30 min of resistance exercise (RE) will consist of 30 total minutes of resistance exercise each week (15 min each session) in addition to 60 min of aerobic exercise each week (30 min each session). Each 15 min session of resistance exercise will consist of 2 sets of 8-15 repetitions at 50-80% of 1-rep max of 4 exercises. Aerobic exercise will consist of treadmill, elliptical, or bike exercise at moderate to vigorous intensity (50-80% of heart rate reserve). Intensity of the exercise sessions will be increased gradually. With 1 min rest between sets, this plan is estimated to take approximately 45 min per session. Sessions will occur 2 times per week for the duration of 1 year.

Also known as: resistance training
30 min of resistance exercise (RE)

60 min of resistance exercise (RE) will consist of 60 total minutes of resistance exercise each week (30 min each session) in addition to 60 min of aerobic exercise each week (30 min each session). Each 30 min session of resistance exercise will consist of 2 sets of 8-15 repetitions at 50-80% of 1-rep max of 8 exercises. Aerobic exercise will consist of treadmill, elliptical, or bike exercise at moderate to vigorous intensity (50-80% of heart rate reserve). Intensity of the exercise sessions will be increased gradually. With 1 min rest between sets, this plan is estimated to take approximately 60 min per session. Sessions will occur 2 times per week for the duration of 1 year.

Also known as: resistance training
60 min of resistance exercise (RE)

120 min of resistance exercise (RE) will consist of 120 total minutes of resistance exercise each week (60 min each session) in addition to 60 min of aerobic exercise each week (30 min each session). Each 60 min session of resistance exercise will consist of 3 sets of 8-15 repetitions at 50-80% of 1-rep max of 10 exercises. Aerobic exercise will consist of treadmill, elliptical, or bike exercise at moderate to vigorous intensity (50-80% of heart rate reserve). Intensity of the exercise sessions will be increased gradually. With 1 min rest between sets, this plan is estimated to take approximately 90 min per session. Sessions will occur 2 times per week for the duration of 1 year.

Also known as: resistance training
120 min of resistance exercise (RE)

Eligibility Criteria

Age40 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Non-Smoker
  • Overweight or Obese: Body Mass Index 25-43 kg/m2
  • Inactive: not meeting the US resistance and aerobic exercise guidelines over the last 6 months
  • Walking \<7,000 steps/day at baseline
  • Capable of performing the required exercise training

You may not qualify if:

  • Absolute
  • Unstable coronary heart disease or heart failure
  • Uncontrolled arrhythmias or severe aortic stenosis
  • Acute myocarditis, endocarditis, or pericarditis
  • Cancer, requiring treatment in the past 5 years
  • Autoimmune diseases, affecting immune system
  • Plans to be away ≥4 weeks in the next 1 year
  • Pregnancy/anticipated pregnancy during the study
  • Other medical condition that is life-threatening or can interfere with or be aggravated by the exercise training
  • Uncontrolled Diabetes (HbA1c ≥8.0),
  • Hypertensive Blood Pressure ≥160 mm Hg Systolic and/or 100 mm Hg Diastolic,
  • Relative (should consult a physician)
  • Major risk factors for coronary heart disease
  • Uncontrolled diabetes or musculoskeletal limitations

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Physical Activity Research Center (PARC)

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15219, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity

Interventions

ExerciseResistance Training

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Motor ActivityMovementMusculoskeletal Physiological PhenomenaMusculoskeletal and Neural Physiological PhenomenaExercise TherapyRehabilitationAftercareContinuity of Patient CarePatient CareTherapeuticsPhysical Therapy ModalitiesPhysical Conditioning, Human

Study Officials

  • Duck-chul Lee, PhD

    University of Pittsburgh

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Duck-chul Lee, PhD

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Director of Physical Activity Research Center

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

September 26, 2024

First Posted

October 1, 2024

Study Start

December 3, 2024

Primary Completion (Estimated)

June 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2027

Last Updated

August 12, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will share

Datasets will be available to outside researchers and public health professionals through the web sites of the ClinicalTrials.gov and The Physical Activity Research Center (PARC) at the University of Pittsburgh. Outside researchers can learn what data are available and request a de-identified dataset (stripped of all personal health identifiers). All outside investigators must pass an NIH-approved equivalent course on the Protection of Human Subjects. All data requests will be discussed with the research team and approval will be obtained from the institutional review board overseeing the proposal of the data analysis project. Findings from the proposed study will also be disseminated at national and international meetings and publish the findings in peer-reviewed journals. The investigators seek to maximize the knowledge discovered from this study by sharing data to expedite the translation of research into practice to improve cardiovascular health.

Shared Documents
ICF

Locations