Resistance Training for Cardiometabolic Health

(OVERCOME-IT Trial)

Overseen By Sarahi Hernandez, MPH

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham

Disqualifiers: Uncontrolled hypertension, Pregnancy, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

Duration: 16 weeks

36 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new home-based resistance training program to determine its effects on heart and metabolic health. Researchers aim to assess whether participants find the program easy to use and beneficial. They seek Black or African American women who have not engaged in much resistance training and have conditions such as being overweight, prediabetes, or high blood pressure. Participants must have a device like a smartphone or computer to access the program. As an unphased trial, participants contribute to valuable research that may lead to better health solutions for their community.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems likely that you can continue your medications, especially since the trial includes people taking medications for conditions like hypertension and diabetes.

What prior data suggests that this resistance training program is safe?

Research has shown that online resistance training exercises are safe and easy for most people. One study found that this type of exercise program not only ensures safety but also improves health in individuals with medical conditions, indicating that people generally manage it well without major issues.

Another study found that online training helps individuals maintain their exercise routines. This finding is important because it demonstrates that the program can be both safe and enjoyable. Overall, evidence suggests that resistance training from home is a safe way to exercise. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this remotely delivered resistance training because it offers a unique way to improve cardiometabolic health without the need for in-person gym sessions. Unlike traditional exercise programs that require physical attendance, this method is accessible from home through a web-based platform, making it convenient and adaptable to individual schedules. This approach could potentially increase adherence and consistency, which are crucial for effective health improvements. Additionally, by leveraging digital technology, it can provide personalized guidance and support, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the training.

What evidence suggests that this remotely delivered resistance training is effective for cardiometabolic health?

Research has shown that strength training can greatly improve heart and metabolic health. Studies have found that strength exercises can help lower body weight and reduce fat. This trial will evaluate a home-based resistance training program delivered through a web-based platform. Training at home, especially when paired with a healthy diet, can also enhance heart and metabolic health. Additionally, strength training programs delivered through smartphones have proven effective, particularly for older adults. These findings suggest that remote strength training could be a promising way to boost overall health. ^{3 4 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Amber W Kinsey, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for Black or African American women aged 30-64 who are not regularly doing resistance training and have conditions like overweight, obesity, prediabetes, diabetes, or hypertension. Participants must live near the University, be willing to exercise at home using an internet-connected device and get medical clearance if needed.

Inclusion Criteria

I am female.

Self-identifies as Black or African American

Insufficient resistance training engagement (<2 sessions/week in the past 6 months)

Exclusion Criteria

Planning to relocate out of the area in the next 6 months

Unwilling to obtain medical clearance (if indicated by prescreening)

I weigh less than 450 lbs.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in a remotely delivered resistance training program via a web-based platform

16 weeks

Baseline and Month 4 assessments

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Remotely Delivered Resistance Training

Trial Overview

The study tests a new remotely delivered resistance training program designed for cardiometabolic health improvement. It aims to see how feasible and effective this home-based workout regimen can be for participants.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention/Treatment Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

A home-based resistance training condition that is delivered through a web-based platform.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,677

Recruited

2,458,000+

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)

Collaborator

Trials

473

Recruited

1,374,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Resistance training (RT) can effectively help in treating obesity and reducing major cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as dyslipidaemia and type 2 diabetes, by promoting muscle mass development.

The review highlights the importance of maintaining skeletal muscle mass to mitigate metabolic disorders associated with aging and decreased physical activity, suggesting that clinicians should incorporate RT into treatment plans for obesity-related metabolic issues.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evidence for resistance training as a treatment therapy in obesity. Strasser, B., Schobersberger, W.[2021]

Dynamic resistance training can be safely included in cardiac rehabilitation for selected patients, as it does not pose a higher risk than aerobic training when properly supervised and tailored to individual needs.

Low-intensity resistance training (40-60% of maximum voluntary contraction) with controlled repetitions leads to only modest increases in blood pressure, similar to moderate endurance training, making it a viable option for improving muscle strength and cardiovascular health in patients with good cardiac function.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Recommendations for resistance exercise in cardiac rehabilitation. Recommendations of the German Federation for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation. Bjarnason-Wehrens, B., Mayer-Berger, W., Meister, ER., et al.[2019]

A 12-week home-based telehealth exercise training program significantly increased physical activity levels and exercise capacity in patients with cardiometabolic multimorbidity, as shown by a randomized controlled trial involving 50 participants.

The program also improved health-related quality of life, particularly in physical function, indicating that telehealth exercise interventions can be effective and beneficial for patients managing multiple cardiometabolic conditions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of a Home-Based Telehealth Exercise Training Program for Patients With Cardiometabolic Multimorbidity: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Chiang, SL., Shen, CL., Chen, LC., et al.[2021]

Isometric resistance training (IRT) has been shown to significantly lower blood pressure by an average of 7.4/3.3 mmHg, which is comparable to the effects of antihypertensive medications, and can reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events by 13% to 22%.

IRT is safe for a variety of patient populations and is particularly beneficial for individuals who cannot engage in aerobic exercise or have resistant hypertension, requiring only about 17 minutes of training per week.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An evidence-based guide to the efficacy and safety of isometric resistance training in hypertension and clinical implications. Baffour-Awuah, B., Pearson, MJ., Dieberg, G., et al.[2023]

Resistance training is safe and effective for patients in cardiac rehabilitation, showing fewer signs of myocardial ischemia compared to aerobic training, which may be due to lower heart rates and improved coronary artery filling.

This type of training enhances muscle strength, leading to better exercise performance and quality of life, including improvements in mood and emotional health, although its effects on blood pressure and lipid profiles remain unclear.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Role of resistance training in heart disease. McCartney, N.[2019]

An online supervised exercise program significantly reduced fasting blood sugar and body mass index (BMI) in 70 older patients with Type 2 diabetes over a 6-week period.

While both supervised and unsupervised exercise groups showed improvements in psychological resilience and quality of life, the online supervised group demonstrated greater benefits, suggesting it may be a valuable treatment option for older adults unable to attend in-person rehabilitation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of an online-supervised exercise program in older people with diabetes on fasting blood sugar, psychological resilience and quality of life: A double blind randomised controlled trial. Terkes, N., Aksu, NT., Yamac, SU.[2023]

A 12-week tele-exercise training program significantly improved physical activity levels and cardiorespiratory fitness in patients with cardiometabolic multimorbidity, with 68 out of 83 participants completing the study.

Participants in the tele-exercise group showed enhanced heart rate recovery and increased measures of fitness, such as VO2peak and workload, compared to those receiving usual care, indicating the program's effectiveness in managing cardiometabolic health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of a 12-week tele-exercise training program on cardiorespiratory fitness and heart rate recovery in patients with cardiometabolic multimorbidity. Chiang, SL., Shen, CL., Lee, MS., et al.[2023]

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