Effects of high-intensity strength and sprint training on tibial bone structure and strength in middle-aged and older sprint athletes: a randomized controlled trial

• Register: ISRCTN
• Last refreshed on: 21 December 2021
• Main ID: ISRCTN17271498
• Date of registration: 17/10/2016
• Prospective Registration: No
• Primary sponsor: University of Jyväskylä
• Public title: Effects of high-intensity strength and sprint training on tibial bone structure and strength in middle-aged and older sprint athletes: a randomized controlled trial
• Scientific title: Effects of high-intensity strength and sprint training on tibial bone structure and strength in middle-aged and older sprint athletes: a randomized controlled trial
• Date of first enrolment: 11/10/2002
• Target sample size: 80
• Recruitment status: Completed
• URL: https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN17271498
• Study type: Interventional
• Study design: Single-centre randomized controlled trial with longitudinal follow up (Other)
• Phase: Not Applicable

Countries of recruitment

Finland

Contacts

• Name: Marko Korhonen

Key inclusion & exclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria:
1. Voluntary men aged = 40 with long-term training background and success in international or national masters sprint events
2. Ongoing systematic training and competing
3. No diseases or musculoskeletal disorders contraindicating exercise or limiting participation in the training program

Exclusion criteria:
1. Medical condition contraindicating intensive training
2. Use of medication affecting bone
3. Unwillingness to participate


Age minimum:
Age maximum:
Gender: Male

Health Condition(s) or Problem(s) studied

Musculoskeletal health and function
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Musculoskeletal health and function

Intervention(s)

Participants are randomised to one of two group:

Exercise group (EX): Participants participate in a 20-week program combining sprint training (2 times/wk) with heavy and explosive strength exercises (weightlifting and plyometrics, 2 times/wk). The program consists of two 11- and 9-week periods that were further divided into three phases of 3-4 weeks with different intensity, volume and type of training. The strength training focuses on the leg extensor and hamstring muscle groups and progresses from strength endurance and hypertrophy exercises to maximal strength and explosive strength exercises. Plyometric exercises progress from low intensity vertical jumps to horizontal bounding exercises. The sprint training program progresses from speed-endurance to maximum speed exercises.

Control group (CTRL): Participants are instructed to maintain their usual, mostly run-based training schedules.

Both groups keep detailed exercise diaries throughout the intervention period. Field tests for running performance and muscle power are organized in weeks 5, 10 and 15 in order to obtain feedback on the athlete’s training status and degree of progress.

Follow-up measurements are performed immediately after the 20-week training period. This part of the trial was completed on the 25th May 2003.

A 10-year follow-up measurement is performed for the participants who are willing to come back to the lab. The participants are contacted by telephone. 10-year follow-up includes identical measurements compared to baseline and 20 weeks follow-up, except for DEXA measurement which is done only in the follow-up. The 10-year follow-up is performed in order to study the effects of aging and continued/

Primary Outcome(s)

Bone structure and strength are measured by peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) at baseline, after 20 weeks training period and at the 10 year follow-up.

Secondary Outcome(s)

1. Bone mineral content and volumetric density are measured by pQCT at baseline, after 20 weeks training period and at the 10 year follow-up
2. Anthropometry and body composition are measured by bioimpedance device at baseline, after 20 weeks training period and at the 10 year follow-up
3. Whole-muscle structural characteristics (quadriceps, triceps surae) is measured by pQCT and ultrasound at baseline, after 20 weeks training period and at the 10 year follow-up
4. Muscle needle samples were obtained from the middle region of the vastus lateralis muscle under local anaesthesia. Muscle fiber type, structure and single fiber contractile properties are measured by ATPase histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and skinned fiber experimental apparatus at baseline, after 20 weeks training period and at the 10 year follow-up
5. Blood and serum samples were taken for genetic, hormone, cytokine, growth factor analyses at baseline, after 10 and 20 weeks of training and at the 10 year follow-up. Automated immunoassay systems or commercial ELISA kits are used for the analyses
6. Muscle strength and power of leg and knee extensors and knee flexors (including explosive strength capability assessed by squat jump, triple jump with a standing start and a reactive hopping test) are measured by David 200 dynamometer, Smith machine and custom made dynamometry, force plate and contact mat at baseline, after 20 weeks training period and at the 10 year follow-up
7. Sprint running performance (30- and 60-meter) is measured on an indoor track equipped with a 9.4-m-long force platform by using double-beam photo-cell gates at baseline, after 20 weeks training period and at the 10 year follow-up.
8. Nutrient intake is obtained from 5-day food diaries kept in week 15 of the 20 weeks’ training period.
9. Bone mineral content, areal bone mineral density, lean body mass and body fat of whole body are assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the 10-year follow-up. In addition, DXA images are used to assess lumbar vertebral microarchitecture (trabecular bone score, TBS) and the structural parameters of proximal femur (hip structure analysis, HSA).

Secondary ID(s)

N/A

Source(s) of Monetary Support

Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture, Finnish Academy

Results

• Results available: Yes
• Date Completed: 30/06/2017