The Effect of Resistance Training Combined with Vitamin D Supplementation on IGF-1 Levels and Neuromuscular Junction Function (Anti-Acetylcholine Receptor Antibody) in Elderly Women with Sarcopenia
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a period of resistance training combined with vitamin D supplementation on serum levels of insulin-like growth factor 1, neuromuscular receptor function based on acetylcholine receptor antibody levels, and muscle function indices including handgrip strength, chair test, and walking speed in elderly women with sarcopenia.
Design
This was a quasi-experimental study with a 2x2 factorial design and a control group. 40 elderly women with sarcopenia were randomly assigned to four parallel groups (resistance training + vitamin D, resistance training, vitamin D, and control) in a block design. The study was unblinded and lacked a clinical trial phase.
Settings and conduct
This quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design and control group was conducted in Aligudarz city in 2016 on 40 elderly women with sarcopenia.
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Advanced or unstable cardiovascular disease
Uncontrolled blood pressure (above 160/100 mmHg)
Untreated thyroid disorders
Kidney failure
Vitamin D supplementation in the last 3 months
Any medical contraindication to resistance training
Severe mobility limitations or inability to perform functional tests
Active inflammatory or autoimmune diseases
Use of medications that affect muscle and bone metabolism (such as corticosteroids)
Unwillingness or inability to provide informed consent
Intervention groups
Resistance training group with vitamin D supplementation
Resistance training group
Vitamin D supplementation group
Control group
Main outcome variables
Serum IGF-1 levels; serum Anti-AChR Ab levels (neuromuscular receptor function); muscle function indices (hand grip strength, 30-second chair test, and walking speed)
General information
Reason for update
Acronym
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number:IRCT20260621069896N1
Registration date:2026-06-23, 1405/04/02
Registration timing:retrospective
Last update:2026-06-23, 1405/04/02
Update count:0
Registration date
2026-06-23, 1405/04/02
Registrant information
Name
Hossein Barzegari Marvast
Name of organization / entity
Yazd University
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 35 3123 4038
Email address
h.barzegari@staff.yazd.ac.ir
Recruitment status
Recruitment complete
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2026-05-12, 1405/02/22
Expected recruitment end date
2026-05-21, 1405/02/31
Actual recruitment start date
2026-05-26, 1405/03/05
Actual recruitment end date
2026-06-05, 1405/03/15
Trial completion date
2026-08-11, 1405/05/20
Scientific title
The Effect of Resistance Training Combined with Vitamin D Supplementation on IGF-1 Levels and Neuromuscular Junction Function (Anti-Acetylcholine Receptor Antibody) in Elderly Women with Sarcopenia
Public title
The effect of resistance training combined with vitamin D supplementation on IGF-1 levels, neuromuscular function, and muscle strength in elderly women with sarcopenia
Purpose
Health service research
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
Elderly women with sarcopenia according to EWGSOP2 criteria
Age 60-70 years
Resident of Aligudarz city
Ability to participate in resistance training program (without severe movement restriction)
No vitamin D supplementation in the last 3 months
Informed consent to participate in the study
Exclusion criteria:
Advanced or unstable cardiovascular disease
Uncontrolled blood pressure (above 160/100 mmHg)
Untreated thyroid disorders
Renal failure (Cr > 1.5 mg/dL or GFR < 60)
Vitamin D supplementation in the last 3 months
Any medical contraindication to resistance training
Severe mobility limitations or inability to perform functional tests
Active inflammatory or autoimmune diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis)
Use of medications that affect bone and muscle metabolism (such as corticosteroids)
Unwillingness or inability to provide informed consent
Age
From 60 years old to 70 years old
Gender
Female
Phase
N/A
Groups that have been masked
No information
Sample size
Target sample size:
40
Actual sample size reached:
40
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Randomized
Randomization description
After assessing the inclusion and exclusion criteria, eligible participants were randomly assigned to four groups (resistance training + vitamin D, resistance training, vitamin D, and control). The randomization method was block randomization with a block size of 4, which was performed using Excel software to maintain a balance in the number of individuals in each group.
Blinding (investigator's opinion)
Not blinded
Blinding description
Placebo
Not used
Assignment
Factorial
Other design features
This study is a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design and a control group and a 2x2 factorial design. The two intervention factors included “resistance training” (two levels: yes/no) and “vitamin D supplementation” (two levels: yes/no). Eligible participants were randomly assigned to four parallel groups (resistance training + vitamin D, resistance training alone, vitamin D alone, and control). The intervention duration was 8 weeks and the main objective was to evaluate the main effect of each intervention as well as the interaction effect (synergistic effect) between resistance training and vitamin D on IGF-1 levels, neuromuscular junction function, and muscle performance indices.
Secondary Ids
empty
Ethics committees
1
Ethics committee
Name of ethics committee
yazd university
Street address
yazd university
City
yazd
Province
Yazd
Postal code
۸۹۱۵۸۱۸۴۱۱
Approval date
2026-04-29, 1405/02/09
Ethics committee reference number
IR.YAZD.REC.1405.016
Health conditions studied
1
Description of health condition studied
Sarcopenia
ICD-10 code
M62.84
ICD-10 code description
کاهش توده و قدرت عضلانی مرتبط با سن
Primary outcomes
1
Description
Serum IGF-1 levels
Timepoint
They were measured at two time points: pre-test (48 to 72 hours before the start of the intervention) and post-test (48 to 72 hours after the completion of the 8-week intervention).
Method of measurement
They were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and special kits. Insulin-like growth factor type 1 levels were measured with a German Mediagnosis kit.
2
Description
Anti-AChR Ab
Timepoint
They were measured at two time points: pre-test (48 to 72 hours before the start of the intervention) and post-test (48 to 72 hours after the completion of the 8-week intervention).
Method of measurement
They were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and special kits. Acetylcholine receptor antibody levels were measured with a Hanyin Biotech China kit.
Secondary outcomes
empty
Intervention groups
1
Description
Intervention group: Control group:Participants in this group did not receive any training intervention or supplementation and continued their daily activities.Intervention group 1 (resistance training with vitamin D supplementation):The intervention consisted of two concurrent parts:Resistance training: 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week (non-consecutive days), at an intensity of 60-75% of one repetition maximum (1RM), including 8 main movements (4 upper body movements and 4 lower body movements) in 3 sets of 10-12 repetitions with 1-2 minutes of rest between sets. Sessions were performed under the direct supervision of an exercise physiologist.Vitamin D supplementation: Oral intake of 50,000 IU of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) weekly for 8 weeks.Intervention group 2 (resistance training alone):Exactly the same resistance training protocol as group 1 (8 weeks, 3 sessions per week, 60-75% of 1RM, 8 movements, 3 sets of 10-12 repetitions) without receiving any supplementation.Third intervention group (vitamin D supplementation alone):Oral intake of 50,000 IU of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) weekly for 8 weeks, without performing a resistance training program.
Category
Lifestyle
Recruitment centers
1
Recruitment center
Name of recruitment center
Health Centers and Elderly Nursing Homes of Aligudarz City
Full name of responsible person
zahra mosayebi
Street address
aligoudarz
City
aligoudarz
Province
Lorestan
Postal code
۸۹۱۵۸۱۸۴۱۱
Phone
+98 35 3123 4038
Email
zahramosayebi1988@gmail.com
Sponsors / Funding sources
1
Sponsor
Name of organization / entity
yazd University
Full name of responsible person
hossein barzegari
Street address
yazv university
City
yazd
Province
Yazd
Postal code
۸۹۱۵۸۱۸۴۱۱
Phone
+98 35 3123 4038
Email
h.barzegari@staff.yazd.ac.ir
Grant name
Grant code / Reference number
Is the source of funding the same sponsor organization/entity?
Yes
Title of funding source
yazd University
Proportion provided by this source
10
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
yazd university
Full name of responsible person
hossein barzegari
Position
Associate professor
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Physiology
Street address
yazd university
City
yazd
Province
Yazd
Postal code
۸۹۱۵۸۱۸۴۱۱
Phone
+98 35 3123 4038
Email
hosseinbarzegarimarvast@gmail.com
Person responsible for scientific inquiries
Contact
Name of organization / entity
yazd university
Full name of responsible person
hossein barzegari
Position
Associate professor
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Physiology
Street address
yazd university
City
yazd
Province
Yazd
Postal code
۸۹۱۵۸۱۸۴۱۱
Phone
+98 35 3123 4038
Email
h.barzegari@staff.yazd.ac.ir
Person responsible for updating data
Contact
Name of organization / entity
yazd University
Full name of responsible person
hossein barzegari
Position
Associate professor
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Physiology
Street address
yazd University
City
yazd
Province
Yazd
Postal code
۸۹۱۵۸۱۸۴۱۱
Phone
+98 35 3123 4038
Email
h.barzegari@staff.yazd.ac.ir
Sharing plan
Deidentified Individual Participant Data Set (IPD)
No - There is not a plan to make this available
Justification/reason for indecision/not sharing IPD
Due to the sensitive nature of personal health data of elderly participants and ethical considerations regarding privacy and confidentiality, there is no plan to share individual participant data.
Study Protocol
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Statistical Analysis Plan
No - There is not a plan to make this available
Informed Consent Form
No - There is not a plan to make this available
Clinical Study Report
Yes - There is a plan to make this available
Analytic Code
No - There is not a plan to make this available
Data Dictionary
No - There is not a plan to make this available
Title and more details about the data/document
Study Protocol and Final Clinical Study Report
When the data will become available and for how long
The study protocol and final clinical study report will be available starting 6 months after the publication of the main results of the study.
To whom data/document is available
Qualified researchers and scientists affiliated with academic or research institutions.
Under which criteria data/document could be used
The documents may be used for academic and scientific purposes, including meta-analyses, secondary research, and educational uses, provided that the original study is properly cited. Commercial use is not permitted.
From where data/document is obtainable
Requests should be sent to the corresponding author: Dr. Hossein Barzegari Marvast, Yazd University, via email: h.barzegari@staff.yazd.ac.ir
What processes are involved for a request to access data/document
The requester must submit a formal written request including their affiliation, research proposal, and intended use of the documents. The corresponding author will review the request within 4-6 weeks. If approved, the documents will be sent via secure email after signing a data use agreement.