High-Intensity Interval Resistance Training and Low-to-Moderate-Intensity Resistance Training in Upper Extremity Muscles

NCT07752901 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2026/7-15
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 49
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

High-intensity interval resistance training (HIIRT) has emerged as a time-efficient alternative to conventional resistance training; however, evidence regarding upper-extremity-focused HIIRT and its multidimensional effects remains limited. This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effects of upper-extremity HIIRT and low-to-moderate-intensity resistance training (LMRT) on muscle strength, functional capacity, cognition, mental health, and health-related quality of life in healthy young adults. Forty-nine healthy young adults aged 18-25 years will be randomly allocated to one of three groups: HIIRT, LMRT, or a control group. Participants in the intervention groups will complete supervised upper-extremity resistance training sessions twice weekly for 8 weeks, while the control group will receive no structured exercise intervention. Outcome measures will include isotonic upper-extremity muscle strength, the Six-Minute Walk Test, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaire, the Dispositional Flow Scale-2, and the Short Form-36 Health Survey. The study is designed to evaluate the effects of the two resistance training protocols on physical, cognitive, and psychological outcomes in healthy young adults.

Conditions

Young Adults

Keywords

high intensity resistance training; resistance training; upper extremity; muscle strength; functional capacity; cognition

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Upper Extremity Muscle Strength

  Changes in isotonic upper-extremity muscle strength assessed using a multi-station resistance training machine. Strength will be measured for the biceps curl, lat pulldown, pec deck, machine shoulder press, and seated row exercises. The highest value from three trials for each exercise will be recorded.

  Baseline and Week 8

• Functional Capacity

  Changes in functional capacity assessed using the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Walking distance (meters) completed during the test will be recorded.

  Baseline and Week 8

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Cognitive Function

  Baseline and Week 8

• State Anxiety

  Baseline and Week 8

• Trait Anxiety

  Baseline and Week 8

• Generalized Anxiety Symptoms

  Baseline and Week 8

• Flow State

  Baseline and Week 8

Study Arms (3)

High-Intensity Interval Resistance Training (HIIRT)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will perform supervised upper-extremity high-intensity interval resistance training twice weekly for 8 weeks. Exercises include biceps curl, lat pulldown, pec deck, machine shoulder press, and seated row using a multi-station resistance machine. Training will be performed at 80% of one-repetition maximum (1RM) using a cluster-set protocol consisting of two sets, each including one cluster of six repetitions followed by two clusters of 2-3 repetitions separated by 20-second rest intervals, with 2 minutes and 30 seconds of rest between sets. Each session includes a 5-minute warm-up and 5-minute cool-down.

Other: High-Intensity Interval Resistance Training (HIIRT)

Low-to-Moderate-Intensity Resistance Training (LMRT)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will perform supervised upper-extremity low-to-moderate-intensity resistance training twice weekly for 8 weeks. Exercises include biceps curl, lat pulldown, pec deck, machine shoulder press, and seated row using a multi-station resistance machine. Training intensity will be 30-70% of one-repetition maximum (1RM), consisting of 2-3 sets of 8-12 repetitions with at least 1 minute of rest between sets. Each training session includes a 5-minute warm-up and 5-minute cool-down.

Other: Low-to-Moderate-Intensity Resistance Training (LMRT)

Control

NO INTERVENTION

Participants assigned to the control group will not receive a structured exercise program during the 8-week study period. They will be instructed to maintain their usual daily activities and will receive general recommendations regarding physical activity according to current guidelines (150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week, or an equivalent combination). Outcome assessments will be performed at baseline and after the 8-week follow-up period.

Interventions

High-Intensity Interval Resistance Training (HIIRT) OTHER

Participants performed supervised upper-extremity high-intensity interval resistance training twice weekly for 8 weeks using a multi-station resistance machine. Exercises included biceps curl, lat pulldown, pec deck, machine shoulder press, and seated row. Training intensity was set at 80% of one-repetition maximum (1RM). The protocol consisted of two sets, each including one cluster of six repetitions followed by two clusters of 2-3 repetitions separated by 20-second rest intervals, with 2 minutes and 30 seconds of rest between sets. Each session included a 5-minute warm-up and a 5-minute cool-down.

High-Intensity Interval Resistance Training (HIIRT)

Low-to-Moderate-Intensity Resistance Training (LMRT) OTHER

Participants performed supervised upper-extremity low-to-moderate-intensity resistance training twice weekly for 8 weeks using a multi-station resistance machine. Exercises included biceps curl, lat pulldown, pec deck, machine shoulder press, and seated row. Exercise intensity was prescribed at 30-70% of one-repetition maximum (1RM), with 2-3 sets of 8-12 repetitions and at least 1 minute of rest between sets. Each training session included a 5-minute warm-up and a 5-minute cool-down.

Low-to-Moderate-Intensity Resistance Training (LMRT)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Healthy young adults aged 18 to 25 years.
• Ability to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent. Ability to participate safely in an upper-extremity resistance training program. Willingness to attend supervised exercise sessions twice weekly for 8 weeks.
• No participation in another clinical trial during the study period.

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of cardiovascular disease.
• Presence of neurological disease.
• Presence of psychiatric disorder.
• Presence of orthopedic disease or musculoskeletal condition limiting exercise participation.
• Presence of any systemic disease that may interfere with exercise training or study assessments.
• History of surgery affecting participation in the exercise program.
• Cognitive or psychological conditions that could interfere with completion of the assessments.
• Inability or unwillingness to comply with the study protocol.
• Refusal to provide written informed consent.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hacettepe University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Munzur University Faculty of Health Sciences

Tunceli, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Moro T, Tinsley G, Bianco A, Gottardi A, Gottardi GB, Faggian D, Plebani M, Marcolin G, Paoli A. High intensity interval resistance training (HIIRT) in older adults: Effects on body composition, strength, anabolic hormones and blood lipids. Exp Gerontol. 2017 Nov;98:91-98. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2017.08.015. Epub 2017 Aug 15. No abstract available.

  PMID: 28821429 BACKGROUND

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Dr.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 2, 2026
• First Posted: August 7, 2026
• Study Start: May 18, 2026
• Primary Completion: July 21, 2026
• Study Completion: July 28, 2026
• Last Updated: August 7, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)