NCT07692815

Brief Summary

Sex-Difference in Response to Resistance Exercise and Training Given the importance of muscular strength for athletic performance as well as for daily activities in the general population-including clinical populations-and the lack of data in both men and women, the aim of this study is to compare neuromuscular, intramuscular, and systemic adaptations in men and women in response to both acute and chronic resistance exercise. Specifically, the investigators will test the hypotheses that: the neuromuscular response to resistance exercise, including corticospinal excitability and motor unit activation patterns, differs between men and women; the hormonal response and exosome release following resistance exercise are reduced in women compared to men. Participants (n = 15 per group) will follow a supervised resistance training program for 8 weeks. Neuromuscular function of the knee extensor muscles, body composition, intramuscular adaptations, as well as blood profiles (hormonal and metabolic) and exosomes will be assessed before and after a single resistance exercise session and after the training period. This protocol will allow determination of both the acute and long-term effects of resistance exercise. Women's participation in sports is increasing, yet research in this area remains very limited. This project aims to better understand the mechanisms by which resistance training-a non-pharmacological and low-cost strategy-may induce different adaptations in men and women, and, where appropriate, to contribute to the development of sex-specific recommendations to maximize the health benefits of resistance training.

Trial Health

75
On Track

Trial Health Score

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

Enrollment
30

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable

Timeline
5mo left

Started Feb 2026

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
enrolling by invitation

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 Progress54%
Feb 2026Dec 2026

Study Start

First participant enrolled

February 2, 2026

Completed
4 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

June 11, 2026

Completed
28 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

July 9, 2026

Completed
6 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

December 31, 2026

Expected
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

December 31, 2026

Last Updated

July 9, 2026

Status Verified

July 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

11 months

First QC Date

June 11, 2026

Last Update Submit

July 2, 2026

Conditions

FemaleMaleHealthy Adult

Keywords

Resistance TrainingResistance exerciseSex-DifferencesExtracellular vesiclesNeuromuscularIntramuscularSystemic responseHormonal

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (6)

  • Sex differences in protein expression of muscle mass regulation pathways assessed by western blot

    Assessment of protein of expression muscle mass regulation pathways after acute exercise and chronic exercise using western blot (ratio of target protein to reference protein)

    Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months

  • Sex differences in mRNA levels in muscle mass regulation pathways assessed by RT-qPCR

    Assessment of mRNA levels of muscle mass regulation pathways after acute exercise and chronic exercise usin RT-qPCR (fold change).

    Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months

  • Sex differences in metabolic status assessed by blood biomarkers

    Assessment of metabolic blood parameters before and after acute exercise and chronic resistance training.

    Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months

  • Sex differences in hormonal status assessed by blood biomarkers

    Assessment of hormonal blood parameters before and after acute exercise and chronic resistance training.

    Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months

  • Sex differences in extracellular vesicles regulation assessed by nanoparticle tracking analysis

    Assessment of the concentration and size of circulating extracellular vesicles after acute exercise and chronic exercise using nanoparticle tracking analysis.

    Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months

  • Sex differences in extracellular vesicles regulation assessed by proteomic analysis

    Assessment of protein expression of circulating extracellular vesicles after acute exercise and chronic exercise using proteomic analysis

    Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months

Secondary Outcomes (3)

  • Sex differences in body composition assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)

    Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months

  • Sex differences in muscle thickness of the vastus lateralis assessed by ultrasonography

    Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months

  • Sex differences in strength evolution assessed by one-repetition maximum (1-RM)

    Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months

Study Arms (2)

Men

EXPERIMENTAL

Male participants performing a supervised 8-week resistance training program. Neuromuscular, intramuscular, and systemic responses to both acute and chronic resistance exercise will be assessed.

Device: Resistance exercise on a leg extension machineDevice: Resistance training on a leg extension machineProcedure: Blood samplesProcedure: Vastus lateralis biopsyDiagnostic Test: Body composition analysisDiagnostic Test: One repetition maximum (1-RM)Diagnostic Test: Muscle thickness of the vastus lateralis

Women

EXPERIMENTAL

Female participants performing a supervised 8-week resistance training program. Neuromuscular, intramuscular, and systemic responses to both acute and chronic resistance exercise will be assessed.

Device: Resistance exercise on a leg extension machineDevice: Resistance training on a leg extension machineProcedure: Blood samplesProcedure: Vastus lateralis biopsyDiagnostic Test: Body composition analysisDiagnostic Test: One repetition maximum (1-RM)Diagnostic Test: Muscle thickness of the vastus lateralis

Interventions

Resistance exercise on a leg extension machineDEVICE

Supervised resistance exercise consisting exclusively of knee extension exercise on a leg extension machine. Acute exercise included 6 sets of 10 repetitions at 80% of one-repetition maximum (1RM).

MenWomen
Resistance training on a leg extension machineDEVICE

Supervised resistance training consisting exclusively of knee extension exercise on a leg extension machine. Chronic exercise included 6 sets of 10 repetitions at 80% of one-repetition maximum (1RM). The program was carried out over 8 weeks (3x/week).

MenWomen
Blood samplesPROCEDURE

Blood samples were taken from the antecubital vein before and immediately after an acute resistance exercise session, and after the chronic resistance training period.

MenWomen
Vastus lateralis biopsyPROCEDURE

Biopsy were taken in the vastus lateralis before and immediately after an acute resistance exercise session, and after the chronic resistance training period.

MenWomen
Body composition analysisDIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Body composition analysis using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) before and after the chronic resistance training period.

MenWomen
One repetition maximum (1-RM)DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

One repetition maximum (1-RM) assessment before, after 4 weeks of training and at the end the chronic resistance training period.

MenWomen
Muscle thickness of the vastus lateralisDIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Muscle thickness of the vastus lateralis assessed by ultrasonography before and after the chronic resistance training period.

MenWomen

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 40 Years
Sexall(Gender-based eligibility)
Gender Eligibility DetailsBiological females and males
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

  • Men and women aged between 18 and 40 years;
  • eumenorrheic women or under contraceptive (hormonal and non-hormonal).

You may not qualify if:

  • Regular resistance exercise (≥2x/week);
  • Any contraindication to exercise;
  • Protein/creatine supplement intake;
  • Pregnancy;
  • Epilepsy;
  • Head implant.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Faculté des sciences de la motricité, Pl. Pierre de Coubertin 1

Louvain-la-Neuve, 1348, Belgium

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Blood Specimen Collection

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Specimen HandlingClinical Laboratory TechniquesDiagnostic Techniques and ProceduresDiagnosisPuncturesSurgical Procedures, OperativeInvestigative Techniques

Study Officials

  • Sylvie Copine

    Université Catholique de Louvain

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
NON RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
BASIC SCIENCE
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

June 11, 2026

First Posted

July 9, 2026

Study Start

February 2, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 31, 2026

Last Updated

July 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations

BE(1)