Sex-difference in Response to Resistance Exercise and Training

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.

Conditions

• Male
• Female
• Healthy Adult

Interventions

DEVICE

Resistance exercise on a leg extension machine

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).

DEVICE

Resistance training on a leg extension machine

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).

PROCEDURE

Blood samples

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

PROCEDURE

Vastus lateralis biopsy

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

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Body composition analysis

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

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

One repetition maximum (1-RM)

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

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Muscle thickness of the vastus lateralis

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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Lausanne

  collaborator OTHER

• Université d'Auvergne

  collaborator OTHER

• Université Catholique de Louvain

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Sylvie Copine · Université Catholique de Louvain

Study Design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

40 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-02-02

Primary Completion

2026-12-31

Completion

2026-12-31

Countries

• Belgium

Study Locations