1. Home
  2. Approved trials
  3. » فارسی

The effect of two resistance training models, rest-pause and superset, on hormones related to hypertrophy and muscle metabolism, delayed onset muscle soreness, and collagen breakdown in untrained men

Protocol summary

Study aim
Determining the effects of two resistance training models—rest-pause and superset—on growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor, the cortisol-to-testosterone ratio, and indices of delayed-onset muscle soreness, anaerobic enzymes, and markers of collagen degradation at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-exercise in non-athletic men.
Design
The clinical trial has two groups: superset and rest pause, with parallel groups, no blinding, randomized, and phase two on 24 participants. The rand function of Excel software will be used for randomization.
Settings and conduct
Body composition, anthropometric indices, and muscular strength will be assessed using the Brzycki 1-RM protocol. Participants will then be assigned to training groups, and SuperSet and Rest-Pause exercises will be performed at intensities of 70–85% of 1-RM. Exercise intensity and perceived pain will be measured using the Borg scale and VAS. Physiological responses, range of motion, and athletic performance will be evaluated up to 72 hours post-exercise.
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Men who have not participated in regular exercise training during the past 4 to 6 months. Men aged 20 to 27 years. Exclusion Criteria: Women and Individuals with a history of regular exercise training. Individuals with musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, or hormonal disorders or injuries. Individuals who use tobacco products.
Intervention groups
Superset Group Rest Pause Group
Main outcome variables
Growth Hormone, IGF-1, Cortisol, Testosterone, Cortisol to Testosterone Ratio, Hydroxylysine and Hydroxyproline, Creatine Kinase, Lactate Dehydrogenase, Muscle Soreness, Range of Motion, Exercise Performance, Rating of Perceived Exertion(RPE)

General information

Reason for update
Acronym
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number: IRCT20171009036662N1
Registration date: 2026-01-07, 1404/10/17
Registration timing: prospective

Last update: 2026-01-07, 1404/10/17
Update count: 0
Registration date
2026-01-07, 1404/10/17
Registrant information
Name
Name of organization / entity
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 13 3369 0685
Email address
mehrabanij@guilan.ac.ir
Recruitment status
Recruitment complete
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2026-01-21, 1404/11/01
Expected recruitment end date
2026-03-21, 1405/01/01
Actual recruitment start date
empty
Actual recruitment end date
empty
Trial completion date
empty
Scientific title
The effect of two resistance training models, rest-pause and superset, on hormones related to hypertrophy and muscle metabolism, delayed onset muscle soreness, and collagen breakdown in untrained men
Public title
The effect of two resistance training models on hormones, muscle performance, and delayed onset muscle soreness in untrained men
Purpose
Education/Guidance
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
man not trained in 4-6 months men aged 20 to 27 years, inclusive
Exclusion criteria:
skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, or hormonal disorders women and trained individuals smokers
Age
From 20 years old to 27 years old
Gender
Male
Phase
N/A
Groups that have been masked
No information
Sample size
Target sample size: 24
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Randomized
Randomization description
Participants will be randomly assigned to either the first intervention group or the second intervention group using a random number table. To ensure allocation concealment, sealed, opaque, and sequentially numbered envelopes will be used so that neither the researcher nor the participants are aware of the assigned group until each individual is enrolled in the study. Group allocation will be performed with a 1:1 ratio.
Blinding (investigator's opinion)
Not blinded
Blinding description
Placebo
Not used
Assignment
Parallel
Other design features

Secondary Ids

empty

Ethics committees

1

Ethics committee
Name of ethics committee
Ethics committee in biomedical research of Guilan University
Street address
Guilan University, 5th kilometer of Persian Gulf Highway, Rasht, Guilan Province, Iran
City
Rasht
Province
Guilan
Postal code
4199613776
Approval date
2025-11-03, 1404/08/12
Ethics committee reference number
IR.GUILAN.REC.1404.131

Health conditions studied

1

Description of health condition studied
The effect of two resistance training models, rest-pause and superset, on hormones related to hypertrophy and muscle metabolism, delayed onset muscle soreness, and collagen breakdown in untrained men
ICD-10 code
ICD-10 code description

Primary outcomes

1

Description
Growth Hormone (GH)
Timepoint
Before the exercise and immediately after the exercise
Method of measurement
Blood samples from the brachial vein in a seated position, following standard hygienic procedures.

2

Description
Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1)
Timepoint
Before the exercise and immediately after the exercise
Method of measurement
Blood samples from the brachial vein in a seated position, following standard hygienic procedures.

3

Description
Cortisol
Timepoint
Before the exercise and immediately after the exercise
Method of measurement
Blood samples from the brachial vein in a seated position, following standard hygienic procedures.

4

Description
Testosterone
Timepoint
Before the exercise and immediately after the exercise
Method of measurement
Blood samples from the brachial vein in a seated position, following standard hygienic procedures.

5

Description
Lactate
Timepoint
Before the exercise and immediately after the exercise
Method of measurement
Blood samples from the brachial vein in a seated position, following standard hygienic procedures.

6

Description
Creatine Kinase (CK)
Timepoint
Before the activity and 24, 48, and 72 hours after completing the activity
Method of measurement
Blood samples from the brachial vein in a seated position, following standard hygienic procedures.

7

Description
Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)
Timepoint
Before the activity and 24, 48, and 72 hours after completing the activity
Method of measurement
Blood samples from the brachial vein in a seated position, following standard hygienic procedures.

8

Description
Hydroxy lysine
Timepoint
Before the activity and 24, 48, and 72 hours after completing the activity
Method of measurement
Blood samples from the brachial vein in a seated position, following standard hygienic procedures.

9

Description
Hydroxy proline
Timepoint
Before the activity and 24, 48, and 72 hours after completing the activity
Method of measurement
Blood samples from the brachial vein in a seated position, following standard hygienic procedures.

10

Description
Rating of Perceived Exertion(RPE)
Timepoint
During the activity, immediately after the activity, and 24, 48, and 72 hours after completing the activity
Method of measurement
Using the Borg scale

11

Description
Muscle soreness
Timepoint
During the activity, immediately after the activity, and 24, 48, and 72 hours after completing the activity
Method of measurement
Using the Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)

12

Description
Range of Motion(ROM)
Timepoint
Before the activity and 24, 48, and 72 hours after completing the activity
Method of measurement
Using a protractor

13

Description
Exercise Performance
Timepoint
Before the activity and 24, 48, and 72 hours after completing the activity
Method of measurement
Using the leg press and chest press machines

Secondary outcomes

empty

Intervention groups

1

Description
Intervention group: The resistance training program will be performed using a superset method at an intensity of 75% of 1-RM. Participants will perform the training session with 10 minutes of warm-up prior to the exercise and 10 minutes of cool-down following the exercise. A total of eight exercises will be included: bench press, reverse-grip lat pulldown, leg extension, leg curl, good morning, Bulgarian squat, biceps curl, and cable triceps extension.The execution tempo will be controlled so that the concentric phase lasts 2 seconds and the eccentric phase lasts 3 seconds. In this training system, two exercises will be performed consecutively as a superset, with each exercise consisting of four sets, and 16, 16, 20, and 24 repetitions per set for both exercises. A 90-second rest interval within each set between the paired exercises and a 2-minute rest period after completion of each superset pair will be provided.
Category
Other

2

Description
Intervention group: The rest–pause resistance training protocol will be performed using free weights, targeting large muscle groups at an intensity of 85% of one-repetition maximum (1-RM). Participants will complete 10 minutes of warm-up before and 10 minutes of cool-down after the training session.A total of eight exercises will be performed, including bench press, reverse-grip lat pulldown, leg extension, leg curl, good morning, Bulgarian squat, biceps curl, and triceps pushdown using a cable machine.The execution tempo will be controlled so that the concentric contraction lasts 2 seconds and the eccentric phase lasts 3 seconds.In this resistance training protocol, each exercise will be performed once (18 total repetitions), divided into three rest–pause sets (4–6–8 repetitions). A 10-second intra-set rest will be provided between segments, and a 2-minute rest period will be allocated between exercises.
Category
Other

Recruitment centers

1

Recruitment center
Name of recruitment center
University of Guilan
Full name of responsible person
Ali Basti
Street address
Guilan University, 5th kilometer of Persian Gulf Highway, Rasht, Guilan Province, Iran
City
Rasht
Province
Guilan
Postal code
4199613776
Phone
+98 13 3369 0274
Email
basti@guilan.ac.ir

Sponsors / Funding sources

1

Sponsor
Name of organization / entity
Iran National Science Foundation
Full name of responsible person
Ali Mohammad Soltani
Street address
No. 33, 5th St., North Karegar Ave., Tehran
City
Tehran
Province
Tehran
Postal code
1439634665
Phone
+98 21 8216 1000
Email
azimi.o@insf.org
Web page address
https://insf.org/fa
Grant name
Grant code / Reference number
Is the source of funding the same sponsor organization/entity?
Yes
Title of funding source
Iran National Science Foundation
Proportion provided by this source
100
Public or private sector
Public
Domestic or foreign origin
Domestic
Category of foreign source of funding
empty
Country of origin
Type of organization providing the funding
Academic

Person responsible for general inquiries

Contact
Name of organization / entity
The University of Guilan
Full name of responsible person
Pegah Movahedpour
Position
Masters Student
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Sport Physiology
Street address
5th Kilometer of Persian Gulf Highway, Rasht, Guilan Province, Iran
City
Rasht
Province
Guilan
Postal code
4199613776
Phone
+98 13 3369 0274
Email
pmovahedpour@webmail.ac.ir

Person responsible for scientific inquiries

Contact
Name of organization / entity
The University of Guilan
Full name of responsible person
Javad Mehrabani
Position
Associate Professor
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Sport Physiology
Street address
5th Kilometer of Persian Gulf Highway, Rasht, Guilan Province, Iran
City
Rasht
Province
Guilan
Postal code
4199613776
Phone
+98 13 3369 0685
Fax
+98 13 3369 0675
Email
mehrabanij@guilan.ac.ir

Person responsible for updating data

Contact
Name of organization / entity
The University of Guilan
Full name of responsible person
Vida Alipour
Position
Masters Student
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Sport Physiology
Street address
5th Kilometer of Persian Gulf Highway, Rasht, Guilan Province, Iran
City
Rasht
Province
Guilan
Postal code
4199613776
Phone
+98 13 3333 0146
Email
vida.alipour79@webmail.guilan.ac.ir

Sharing plan

Deidentified Individual Participant Data Set (IPD)
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Study Protocol
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Statistical Analysis Plan
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Informed Consent Form
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Clinical Study Report
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Analytic Code
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Data Dictionary
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Title and more details about the data/document
All data on measured variables can be shared after de-identifying the participants.
When the data will become available and for how long
Data Access begins from 2026
To whom data/document is available
Only for researchers affiliated with academic and scientific institutions
Under which criteria data/document could be used
Scientific use in improvement and comparison with other studies is permitted.
From where data/document is obtainable
Email address for correspondence with the researcher to obtain necessary information: Mehrabanij@guilan.ac.ir
What processes are involved for a request to access data/document
The applicant must send the reason for using the documents via email, and after being reviewed by the researcher, a response will be provided as soon as possible Mehrabanij@guilan.ac.ir
Comments
Loading...