Dose-Response to Resistance Exercise on Cardiovascular Health
Trial Parameters
Brief Summary
A large body of evidence indicates numerous health benefits of physical activity, including prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death in the US. This evidence has led to US Physical Activity Guidelines that recommend ≥150 min/week of moderate or ≥75 min/week of vigorous aerobic exercise (AE), plus resistance exercise (RE; such as weight lifting) on ≥2 days/week. To date, current research has mostly focused on AE, and we know a great deal about the dose-response relation between AE and health, resulting in clear and practical guidance to the public on the recommended "dose" in min/week. However, currently far less is known about the dose-response for RE: ≥2 days/week are recommended, but with no duration specified. Thus, this project aims to provide clarity on the dose relationship between RE and health. This project will significantly contribute to developing more effective CVD prevention approaches, advancing prescriptive intervention guidelines, by helping to fill the important gaps in knowledge on effective minimum dose, beneficial optimal dose, and safe maximum dose of RE for CVD prevention. Thus, advancing prescriptive intervention guidelines, and provide important insights for future science of physical activity and health.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Non-Smoker * Overweight or Obese: Body Mass Index 25-43 kg/m2 * Inactive: not meeting the US resistance and aerobic exercise guidelines over the last 6 months * Walking \<7,000 steps/day at baseline * Capable of performing the required exercise training Exclusion Criteria: Absolute * 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 immune system * Plans to be away ≥4 weeks in the next 1 year * Pregnancy/anticipated pregnancy during the study * Other medical condition that is life-threatening or can interfere with or be aggravated by the exercise training * Uncontrolled Diabetes (HbA1c ≥8.0), * Hypertensive Blood Pressure ≥160 mm Hg Systolic and/or 100 mm Hg Diastolic, Relative (should consult a physician) * Major risk factors for coronary heart disease * Uncontrolled diabetes or m