Sex-difference in Response to Resistance Exercise and Training

NCT07692815 — Not applicable, Enrolling by invitation, 30 participants, Université Catholique de Louvain

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Registry	NCT07692815, acronym WOMENRESIST S1
Status	Enrolling by invitation
Phase	Not applicable
Study type	Interventional; non randomized, parallel, masking: none, basic science
Enrollment	30 (Estimated)
Sponsor	Université Catholique de Louvain (Other); collaborators: University of Lausanne, Université d'Auvergne
Conditions	Male, Female, Healthy Adult
Interventions	Resistance exercise on a leg extension machine, Resistance training on a leg extension machine, Blood samples, Vastus lateralis biopsy, Body composition analysis, One repetition maximum (1-RM), Muscle thickness of the vastus lateralis (Device, procedure, diagnostic test)
Dates	start 2026-02-02, primary completion 2026-12-31 (estimated), completion 2026-12-31 (estimated), first posted 2026-07-09, last updated 2026-07-09
Locations	1 site in Belgium

-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.

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+Arms and interventions

Arm	Type	Interventions	Description
Men	Experimental	Device: Resistance exercise on a leg extension machine; Device: Resistance training on a leg extension machine; Procedure: Blood samples; Procedure: Vastus lateralis biopsy; Diagnostic Test: Body composition analysis; Diagnostic Test: One repetition maximum (1-RM); Diagnostic Test: Muscle thickness of the vastus lateralis	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.
Women	Experimental	Device: Resistance exercise on a leg extension machine; Device: Resistance training on a leg extension machine; Procedure: Blood samples; Procedure: Vastus lateralis biopsy; Diagnostic Test: Body composition analysis; Diagnostic Test: One repetition maximum (1-RM); Diagnostic Test: Muscle thickness of the vastus lateralis	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.

Resistance exercise on a leg extension machine (Device): 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).
Resistance training on a leg extension machine (Device): 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).
Blood samples (Procedure): Blood samples were taken from the antecubital vein before and immediately after an acute resistance exercise session, and after the chronic resistance training period.
Vastus lateralis biopsy (Procedure): Biopsy were taken in the vastus lateralis before and immediately after an acute resistance exercise session, and after the chronic resistance training period.
Body composition analysis (Diagnostic test): Body composition analysis using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) before and after the chronic resistance training period.
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.
Muscle thickness of the vastus lateralis (Diagnostic test): Muscle thickness of the vastus lateralis assessed by ultrasonography before and after the chronic resistance training period.

+Outcome measures

Primary outcomes

Sex differences in protein expression of muscle mass regulation pathways assessed by western blot [Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months]: 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)
Sex differences in mRNA levels in muscle mass regulation pathways assessed by RT-qPCR [Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months]: Assessment of mRNA levels of muscle mass regulation pathways after acute exercise and chronic exercise usin RT-qPCR (fold change).
Sex differences in metabolic status assessed by blood biomarkers [Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months]: Assessment of metabolic blood parameters before and after acute exercise and chronic resistance training.
Sex differences in hormonal status assessed by blood biomarkers [Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months]: Assessment of hormonal blood parameters before and after acute exercise and chronic resistance training.
Sex differences in extracellular vesicles regulation assessed by nanoparticle tracking analysis [Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months]: Assessment of the concentration and size of circulating extracellular vesicles after acute exercise and chronic exercise using nanoparticle tracking analysis.
Sex differences in extracellular vesicles regulation assessed by proteomic analysis [Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months]: Assessment of protein expression of circulating extracellular vesicles after acute exercise and chronic exercise using proteomic analysis

Secondary outcomes

Sex differences in body composition assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) [Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months]: Comparison of fat mass and lean mass between men and women before and after the chronic resistance training.
Sex differences in muscle thickness of the vastus lateralis assessed by ultrasonography [Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months]: Comparison of vastus lateralis muscle thickness between men and women before and after the chronic resistance training.
Sex differences in strength evolution assessed by one-repetition maximum (1-RM) [Throughout the entire study, during approximately 11 months]: Comparison of maximal strength evolution between men and women before and after the chronic resistance training.

+Eligibility

Sex: All, ages: 18 Years to 40 Years, accepts healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

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

Exclusion Criteria:

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

+Locations (1)

Facility	City	Country	Status
Faculté des sciences de la motricité, Pl. Pierre de Coubertin 1	Louvain-la-Neuve	Belgium

+Investigators

Sylvie Copine, Principal investigator, Université Catholique de Louvain