An interventional study of Strength training in Exercise Training, sponsored by Umeå University. Completed. Open to male participants aged 18 Years to 40 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-29.
Sponsored by Umeå University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Basic science
This study examined how two types of resistance training affect the biceps muscle over six weeks in healthy young men. Participants performed either low-repetition, heavy-load training designed to improve maximal strength or high-repetition training designed to improve muscular endurance. Training was supervised and performed twice weekly.
Researchers measured arm strength and muscular endurance before and after training. They also collected small samples of biceps muscle tissue to examine muscle-fibre characteristics and changes in muscle proteins. These protein measurements were intended to identify early changes in muscle that may occur before visible changes in muscle size or measurable improvements in performance.
The study found no clear differences between the two training approaches in strength, endurance, muscle-fibre size, or muscle-fibre type after six weeks. However, the two programs were associated with different patterns of change in muscle proteins. These findings may help researchers understand the early biological processes through which different types of resistance exercise affect skeletal muscle. This was a small exploratory study, so the results may not apply to other populations or longer training programs.
This randomized pilot study examined early changes in the biceps brachii muscle after two different resistance-training programs. The study was conducted in Umeå, Sweden, between January and December 2005. Its purpose was to compare changes in muscle strength, muscular endurance, muscle-fibre characteristics, blood markers, and muscle proteins after six weeks of either heavy, low-repetition resistance training or high-repetition resistance training.
Ten healthy male university students, aged 18 to 40 years and recreationally resistance trained, provided written informed consent and were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Five participants performed maximal-strength training and five performed endurance-oriented strength training. The random sequence was computer-generated by a researcher not involved in outcome assessment. Participants and instructors knew the assigned program, but laboratory staff and data analysts were blinded to group assignment.
Both groups trained their biceps muscles twice weekly for six weeks under individual supervision. Training consisted of bilateral preacher curls with free weights. The maximal-strength group performed five sets of three repetitions using a weight that could be lifted for three repetitions, with four minutes of rest between sets. The endurance-oriented group performed three sets of 30 repetitions using a weight that could be lifted for 30 repetitions, also with four minutes of rest. Training loads were adjusted as participants' strength changed.
Before and after the training period, participants completed tests of right-arm biceps strength and endurance using an isokinetic dynamometer. The study measured peak elbow-flexion force, total work during repeated contractions, and fatigue during the endurance test. Blood samples were collected before and after training to measure selected hormones and creatine kinase. Muscle-biopsy samples were collected before training from the left biceps and after training from the right biceps, using local anaesthesia. The samples were examined for muscle-fibre type and size and for changes in muscle proteins using proteomic methods.
The study was exploratory and included a small number of participants. No intervention-related adverse events were reported. One participant developed a small raised scar after a muscle biopsy. The findings were intended to help identify early molecular changes in muscle that may occur before measurable changes in strength, endurance, or muscle size.
2,684 studies on the registry are indexed under Motor Activity; 1,217 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 10 is below the median of 60 across 2,344 interventional studies indexed under Motor Activity.
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A supervised, isolated biceps-brachii resistance-training intervention delivered twice weekly for six weeks. Participants performed bilateral preacher curls (Scott curls) with free weights on an EZ bar, using a standardized range of motion from full elbow extension to 135 degrees of elbow flexion. Each session comprised five sets of three-repetition maximum (3RM) with four minutes of rest between sets. The concentric phase was performed at maximal intended speed, while the eccentric phase was controlled over approximately three seconds. The load was individually progressed as the participant's 3RM improved. This intervention differs from the endurance-oriented arm primarily in its low-repetition, high-load prescription
Behavioral: Strength training
A supervised, isolated biceps-brachii resistance-training intervention delivered twice weekly for six weeks. Participants performed bilateral preacher curls (Scott curls) with free weights on an EZ bar, using the same standardized range of motion from full elbow extension to 135 degrees of elbow flexion. Each session comprised three sets of 30-repetition maximum (30RM) with four minutes of rest between sets. The concentric phase was performed at maximal intended speed, while the eccentric phase was controlled over approximately three seconds. The load was individually progressed as the participant's 30RM improved. This intervention differs from the maximal-strength arm primarily in its high-repetition, lower-load prescription.
Behavioral: Strength training
A supervised, isolated biceps-brachii resistance-training intervention delivered twice weekly for six weeks. Participants performed bilateral preacher curls (Scott curls) with free weights on an EZ bar, using a standardized range of motion from full elbow extension to 135 degrees of elbow flexion.
Change in biceps brachii muscle protein profile
Muscle-protein abundance was assessed in biceps brachii biopsy samples collected before and after the training intervention. Intact proteins were separated and quantified using two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE). Protein spots with changed abundance were selected for identification by mass spectrometry. The outcome was the within-group change in abundance of individual protein spots from baseline to after training, compared between the maximal-strength and endurance-oriented strength-training groups.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after the 6-week resistance-training intervention (approximately Day 45).
No study locations are listed for this record.
Plan to share: No
Ran from Sep 2004 to primary completion in Jan 2014, 112 months.
Of 1,755 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Motor Activity, half reached primary completion within 23 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 9 and three quarters within 46. This study's 112 months is above that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 1,767 studies reached it within 23 months; a quarter within 9 and three quarters within 46.
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From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
This study is completed, as verified in Oct 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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