Optimizing Strength Training in Older Adults

NCT06812143 | Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: R15AG0851701R15AG085170-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 68
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The objective of the current study is to determine whether lifting lighter loads close to failure improves strength training adaptations and function in older adults. The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. 1.The effect of light loads on physical function
2. 2.The effect of light loads on muscle mass, power, and strength

Conditions

Aging

Keywords

Strength training; Older adults; physical function

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• 6-minute walk test

  Change in the total distance walked in 6 minutes. The 6-minute walk test is an objective, well-validated, and clinically meaningful measure of physical function in older adults.

  Baseline and week 21

Secondary Outcomes (10)

• Lower body maximal muscle strength

  Baseline and week 21.

• Lower body muscle power

  Baseline and week 21

• Lean body mass (LBM)

  Baseline and week 21

• Self-reported physical function

  Baseline and week 21

• Get-up & go test

  Baseline and week 21

Study Arms (2)

Light Load, High Repetition (LLHR)

EXPERIMENTAL

The LLHR group will perform a full-body routine with lighter weights, performing 16-20 repetitions per set, close to failure.

Behavioral: Strength training

Strength Training (ST)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

The ST group will perform a full-body routine with higher weights, performing 8-12 repetitions per set, close to failure.

Behavioral: Strength training

Interventions

Strength training BEHAVIORAL

This intervention involves strength training with lighter loads and higher repetitions.

Also known as: Resistance training, Weight training

Light Load, High Repetition (LLHR)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Males and females aged 65 years and above
• Inactive lifestyle (\< 150 min per week of moderate intensity physical activity) and not regularly participating in a structured strength training program
• Planning to reside in the area for the duration of the study

You may not qualify if:

• Severe cardiac disease, including Class III or IV congestive heart failure, clinically significant aortic stenosis, history of cardiac arrest, use of a cardiac defibrillator, or uncontrolled angina
• Lung disease requiring either oral or injected steroids, or the use of supplemental oxygen
• Short, portable mental status questionnaire with 3 or more errors
• Severe arthritis (either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis)
• Cancer requiring treatment in the past 1 year (melanomas excluded)
• Development of chest pain or severe shortness of breath during the 6 min self-paced walk test
• Parkinson's disease or other serious neurological disorders
• Renal disease requiring dialysis
• Current diagnosis of schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders, or bipolar disorder
• Current consumption of more than 14 alcoholic drinks per week
• Severe lower back or shoulder pain that may worsen with weightlifting exercises
• Undergoing physical therapy involving the lower extremities
• Living in nursing homes, assisted living facilities or other similar institutions
• Currently enrolled in another randomized trial involving a pharmaceutical or lifestyle intervention
• Weight change (intentional or not) over the last 6 months of \> 5% of body weight, or plan to lose or gain weight during the study

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Queens College, The City University of New York: lead
• National Institute on Aging (NIA): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Exercise & Aging Lab, Queens College

Flushing, New York, 11367, United States

RECRUITING

Related Publications (1)

• T Balachandran A, Wang Y, Szabo F, Watts-Battey C, Schoenfeld BJ, Zenko Z, Quiles N. Comparison of traditional vs. lighter load strength training on fat-free mass, strength, power and affective responses in middle and older-aged adults: A pilot randomized trial. Exp Gerontol. 2023 Jul;178:112219. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2023.112219. Epub 2023 May 30.

  PMID: 37236327 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Resistance Training

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Exercise Therapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Physical Conditioning, Human; Exercise; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Central Study Contacts

Anoop T Balachandran, PhD

CONTACT

718-997-2729; athozhuthungalba@qc.cuny.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Statistician
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 31, 2025
• First Posted: February 6, 2025
• Study Start: February 5, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 25, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 25, 2027
• Last Updated: July 30, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF

Locations

US (1)