The Effects of Strength Training on Muscle Mass and Mental Health in Adults Taking Obesity Medication
STRONG
1 other identifier
interventional
40
1 country
1
Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of resistance exercise, such as weightlifting, on retention of muscle mass and mental health in individuals taking GLP-1 RAs (an obesity medication). Resistance exercise is focused on increasing the strength of participants' muscles, such as how much participant can lift.
- The duration of this study is 3 months. This includes:
- Orientation session to explain study protocol, exercise program, and complete questionnaire about participants' medical history and lifestyle.
- Two health assessments at baseline and at 3 months. These assessments include body composition, resting blood pressure, cardiovascular function, and muscular strength. Both the resistance exercise group and the control group will complete assessments at baseline and again at 3 months. After the 3-month period, individuals in the control group may choose to participate in the exercise training and complete the optional 6-month assessments.
- Personalized resistance exercise sessions for 60 minutes per session, twice per week, for 3 months.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable
Started May 2026
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
January 11, 2026
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
May 25, 2026
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
June 17, 2026
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
April 30, 2027
ExpectedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
May 31, 2027
June 17, 2026
June 1, 2026
11 months
January 11, 2026
June 10, 2026
Conditions
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (2)
Change in Body Composition
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) will be used to assess fat mass and lean mass. Body fat will be expressed as a percentage of total body composition, and lean mass will be expressed as a percentage of total body composition. Change in each variable will be calculated as the Week 12 value minus the baseline value. Positive values indicate an increase in body fat or lean mass, and negative values indicate a decrease.
From Baseline to Week 12
Change in Quality of Life
Quality of life will be assessed using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better quality of life. Change will be calculated as Week 12 minus baseline.
From Baseline to Week 12
Secondary Outcomes (3)
Muscle Strength
From Baseline to Week 12
Energy Intake
From Baseline to Week 12
Physical Activity and Sleep
From Baseline to Week 12
Other Outcomes (1)
Cardiovascular Fitness
From Baseline to Week 12
Study Arms (2)
Resistance Exercise (RE)
EXPERIMENTALParticipants will perform 60 min of resistance exercise 2 sessions per week for 12 weeks while continuing GLP-1 RAs therapy as prescribed by regular treating provider
Standard Care
ACTIVE COMPARATORParticipants will take GLP-1 RAs for 12 weeks as prescribed by regular treating provider
Interventions
60 min/session, all for 2 sessions/week for 12 weeks
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Initiating GLP-1 RAs prescribed by physician or advanced practice practitioner and willing to withhold the start of the drug until baseline assessment completed
- Non-Smoker
- ≥18 years old
- Obese: Body Mass Index 30-45 kg/m² or BMI ≥27 + ≥1 weight related comorbidity; either hypertension or sleep apnea confirmed by participant self-report
- Inactive: not meeting the current US exercise guidelines over the past 6 months
- Capable of performing the required exercise training
You may not qualify if:
- A serious heart condition, such as unstable heart disease or heart failure, irregular heartbeats that are not well controlled, severe narrowing of the heart valves, or any recent inflammation of the heart or its lining
- Cancer requiring treatment in the past 5 years
- Hypothyroidism/hyperthyroidism
- Personal or family history of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome type 2 (MEN2)
- Gastroparesis
- Chronic/idiopathic acute pancreatitis
- Hepatic disease or cirrhosis
- Struggle with alcohol or other substance abuse (heavy drinking (≥4 drinks/day or ≥8 drinks/week for women; ≥5 drinks/day or ≥15 drinks/week for men), or who score ≥3 on the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-10))
- Diabetes (Type 1 or 2)
- Major risk factors for coronary heart disease such as uncontrolled high blood pressure (≥160 mm Hg systolic or ≥100 mm Hg diastolic)
- Problems with your muscles or bones that limit your ability to exercise
- Any other medical condition that is life-threatening, can interfere with or be aggravated by the exercise training
- Plans to be away ≥2 weeks in the next 3 months
- Participation in any other concurrent interventional clinical trial
- History of eating disorders or weight-loss surgery, unstable weight (±5% change in past 6 months), or use of obesity medication (e.g., such as Wegovy, Ozempic, Saxenda, Zepbound, Mounjaro) in the last 3 months
- +3 more criteria
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
- University of Pittsburghlead
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Centercollaborator
Study Sites (1)
Physical Activity Research Center, University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15219, United States
Related Links
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Interventions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Officials
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Jiyeon Yoon, M.S.
University of Pittsburgh
Central Study Contacts
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- NONE
- Purpose
- TREATMENT
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- Graduate Student Researcher
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
January 11, 2026
First Posted
June 17, 2026
Study Start
May 25, 2026
Primary Completion (Estimated)
April 30, 2027
Study Completion (Estimated)
May 31, 2027
Last Updated
June 17, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-06
Data Sharing
- IPD Sharing
- Will share
- Shared Documents
- ICF
Datasets will be available to outside researchers and public health professionals through the web sites of 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 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 published in peer-reviewed journals. The investigators seek to maximize the knowledge generated from this study by sharing data to expedite the translation of research into practice, with the goal of preserving lean body mass and improving quality of life.