Mental Effort During Low Load Resistance Training in Older Adults

NCT07687316 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2026-Hester
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 75
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine the effect of maximal mental effort combined with low-intensity resistance training on strength and neuromuscular function in older adults. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Does low-intensity resistance training in combination with maximal mental effort increase strength more than low intensity resistance training alone?
• Does low-intensity resistance training in combination with maximal mental effort improve neuromuscular function more than low intensity resistance training alone? Participants will be randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups:
• Low intensity resistance training
• Low intensity resistance training with maximal mental effort
• Control Researchers will compare groups to determine differences in changes in strength, neuromuscular function, and body composition.

Conditions

Seniors; Old Age; Sarcopenia

Keywords

mobility; aging; balance; exercise; muscle

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in isokinetic strength of the knee extensors at 60 degrees per second

  Dynamic strength of the knee extensors contracting at a constant velocity

  Baseline, Week 8

Secondary Outcomes (16)

• Change in isokinetic knee extensor muscle activation as measured by electromyography amplitude

  Baseline, Week 8

• Change in isometric knee extensor strength as measured by newton-meters of torque

  Baseline, Week 8

• Change in knee extensor muscle activation as measured by electromyography amplitude

  Baseline, Week 8

• Change in motor unit firing rate as measured relative to the motor unit recruitment threshold

  Baseline, Week 8

• Change in motor unit action potential size as measured relative to the motor unit recruitment threshold

  Baseline, Week 8

Study Arms (3)

Low Intensity Resistance Training

EXPERIMENTAL

This group will perform low intensity, whole-body resistance training.

Behavioral: Low Intensity Resistance Training

Low Intensity Resistance Training with Maximal Mental Effort

EXPERIMENTAL

This group will perform low intensity, whole-body resistance training with maximal mental effort during muscle contraction.

Behavioral: Low Intensity Resistance Training with Maximal Mental Effort

Control

NO INTERVENTION

This group will not perform any training and maintain their regular level of physical activity.

Interventions

Low Intensity Resistance Training with Maximal Mental Effort BEHAVIORAL

This training intervention will be 8 weeks of low intensity resistance training, including whole-body and isolated muscle exercises, where participants will perform maximal mental effort by imagining maximal muscle contraction during each exercise.

Low Intensity Resistance Training with Maximal Mental Effort

Low Intensity Resistance Training BEHAVIORAL

This training intervention will be 8 weeks of low intensity resistance training, including whole-body and isolated muscle exercises.

Low Intensity Resistance Training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years - 85 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Body mass index between 18.5 - 33 kg·m2
• No structured physical activity in past 2 years
• Any unstable condition contradicting exercise
• Independently walk with or without assistive device
• No significant cognitive impairment

You may not qualify if:

• Score of 22 or lower on Montreal Cognitive Assessment
• Missing more than 3 training sessions (training groups only)
• Pacemaker
• Unstable angina
• Symptomatic heart failure
• Uncontrolled arrythmias
• Uncontrolled hypertension (greater or equal to 160/90)
• Myocardial infarction in the past 6 months
• Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes
• Type 1 diabetes
• Severe or unstable pulmonary conditions,
• Currently on supplemental oxygen therapy
• Severe hearing loss or visual impairment
• Alzheimer's Disease or significant cognitive impairment
• Stroke in the past 6 months or ongoing stroke-induced motor impairment

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kennesaw State University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw, Georgia, 30144, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sarcopenia; Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscular Atrophy; Neuromuscular Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Atrophy; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms; Behavior

Central Study Contacts

Garrett Hester Professor of Exercise Science

CONTACT

470-578-4267; ghester4@kennesaw.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Masking Details: The mental effort aspect of the study will be concealed from subjects, so they will not be aware of any difference between training groups.
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor of Exercise Science

Model Details: Two intervention groups will perform different types of low intensity resistance training, and a control group will not perform any resistance training.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 30, 2026
• First Posted: July 7, 2026
• Study Start: June 6, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2027
• Last Updated: July 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)