Actively Recruiting
Dose-Response to Resistance Exercise on Cardiovascular Health
Led by University of Pittsburgh · Updated on 2025-08-12
240
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
26 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Pittsburgh
Lead Sponsor
U
University of California, Riverside
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This research aims to understand how different amounts of resistance exercise affect cardiovascular health. While aerobic exercise guidelines are well-established, less is known about the optimal amount of resistance exercise needed to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is the leading cause of death in the US. By studying the dose-response relationship of resistance exercise, the project hopes to improve guidelines for preventing CVD and advance the science of physical activity and health. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups for one year: no resistance exercise, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, or 120 minutes of resistance exercise per week, all combined with a fixed 60 minutes of weekly aerobic exercise. Exercise sessions will occur twice weekly, gradually increasing in intensity. The first six months involve supervised lab-based exercise, followed by six months where participants exercise in a free-living setting with a free health club membership. All groups receive healthy lifestyle education and track daily steps, food intake, and activity. Throughout the study, participants will undergo physical exams at the start, six months, and twelve months to measure blood pressure, blood lipids, body composition, and fitness levels. Researchers will assess changes in cardiovascular risk factors and potential mechanisms like arterial stiffness and inflammation. The second six months will also examine exercise adherence in a less supervised environment. The primary outcome is the change in a composite cardiovascular risk score at six months, with additional long-term effects evaluated at twelve months.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Dose-Response to Resistance Exercise on Cardiovascular Health
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Non-smoker
- Body Mass Index between 25 and 43 kg/m2 (overweight or obese)
- Not meeting US resistance and aerobic exercise guidelines over the last 6 months (inactive)
- Walking fewer than 7,000 steps per day at baseline
- Able to perform the required exercise training
You will not qualify if you...
- Unstable coronary heart disease or heart failure
- Uncontrolled arrhythmias or severe aortic stenosis
- Acute myocarditis, endocarditis, or pericarditis
- Cancer requiring treatment in the past 5 years
- Autoimmune diseases affecting the immune system
- Plans to be away for 4 weeks or more in the next year
- Pregnancy or anticipated pregnancy during the study
- Other life-threatening medical conditions or those that interfere with exercise
- Uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c ≥ 8.0)
- Hypertensive blood pressure (≥160 mm Hg systolic and/or 100 mm Hg diastolic)
- Major risk factors for coronary heart disease (should consult a physician)
- Uncontrolled diabetes or musculoskeletal limitations (should consult a physician)
AI-Screening
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Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
Duration - 1 year
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four exercise groups involving varying weekly doses of resistance exercise combined with aerobic exercise. The first 6 months of the intervention will be supervised in a lab-based setting, followed by 6 months of unsupervised exercise with provided health club membership. Participants will also attend healthy lifestyle education sessions and track daily steps, food intake, and activity levels throughout the year.
2 exercise sessions per week with assessments at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Physical Activity Research Center (PARC)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15219
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
D
Duck-chul Lee, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
4
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