High Intensity Resistance Training Methods with and without Protein Supplementation to Fight Cardiometabolic Risk in Middle-Aged Males: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Time-effective protocols may potentially increase people's compliance with exercise. The purpose of this paper was to compare the relative effects of 16 weeks of high intensity (resistance) training (HIT) with and without protein supplementation (HIT&P) and HVHIT (high volume/high intensity training) versus a nontraining control group on cardiometabolic risk factors. One hundred and twenty untrained males 30–50 years old were randomly assigned to 3 subgroups: (a) a HIT group; (b) a HIT&P group, and (c) a waiting-control group (phase I) that crossed over to (d) high volume/high intensity training (HVHIT) during the second study phase. HIT was defined as “single set to failure protocol” while HVHIT consistently applied two sets. Protein supplementation provided an overall intake of 1.5 g/kg/body mass. Primary study endpoint was the metabolic syndrome Z-Score (MetS-Z-Score). MetS-Z-Score significantly improved in all exercise groups (p ≤ 0.001) with no significant difference between HIT, HIT&P, and HVHIT (p ≥ 0.829). However, all the exercise groups differed significantly from the CG (p < 0.001) which deteriorated significantly (p = 0.039). In conclusion, all exercise protocols were similarly effective in improving cardiometabolic risk factors. Thus, HIT may be the best choice for people with low time budgets looking to improve their cardiometabolic health.

Impact of whole body electromyostimulation on cardiometabolic risk factors in older women with sarcopenic obesity: the randomized controlled FORMOsA-sarcopenic obesity study

“…Unfortunately, the sample size ( n ≤10/subgroup) of this study may have been too low to generate adequate power to clearly address this issue. However, generating a more adequate statistical power, Kemmler et al30 demonstrated that 16 weeks of high-intensity resistance exercise with or without additional proteins (total protein intake: ≥1.5 g/kg body mass/day) did not result in significant group differences with respect to improvements of the MetS in a comparable male cohort. In parallel, after 6 months of a predominantly resistance-type protocol conducted with moderate volume and high intensity (80% of 1 repetition maximum), Weinheimer et al31 did not demonstrate a significant additional effect of whey protein (20, 40, or 60 g/day) on the MetS in middle-aged overweight to obese persons.…”

Myocardial adaption to HI(R)T in previously untrained men with a randomized, longitudinal cardiac MR imaging study (Physical adaptions in Untrained on Strength and Heart trial, PUSH-trial)

“…We conducted a 22-week randomized controlled exercise trial with a parallel group design, focusing on the effect of high intensity, single set resistance exercise protocols (HI(R)T) on functional and morphologic cardiac parameters in middle-aged (30–50 years old) untrained males compared to sedentary controls. Details of the whole PUSH trial have been described before [ 16 ].…”

“…Finally, 120 participants were randomly assigned to a HI(R)T- (n = 40), control- (n = 40), and HI(R)T & protein supplementation-group (n = 40). The latter one was investigated by the collaborative institute and did not receive cardiac MRI [ 16 ]. All subjects of HI(R)T- and control-group received cardiac MRI before and after the intervention period.…”

“…Stratified for age (4 stratas of 5 years), 120 participants were randomly assigned to three study arms by a uniform allocation rate (1 : 1 : 1): HI(R)T- (n = 40), control- (n = 40), and HI(R)T & protein supplementation-group (n = 40) ( Fig 1 ). The latter one was investigated by the collaborative institute and did not receive cardiac MRI [ 16 ]. For the allocation, lots in opaque plastic shells were drawn by the participants themselves.…”

“…During the whole study period, the control group was requested to maintain their lifestyle and physical activity. Detailed exercise program and procedure has been described previously [ 16 ].…”