The Muscle Architecture Remodeling (MAP) study is looking for healthy young adults (ages 18-35) who are not currently resistance training their lower body to participate in a 10-week supervised strength training program. This study is being conducted by University of Toronto Professor Daniel Moore to understand the microscopic changes in muscle tissue.
Study goals
We know that lifting weights makes muscles bigger and stronger, but we don't fully understand what is happening inside your muscle fibers during this process.
The purpose of this study is to examine how the structure inside your muscle fibers changes during 10 weeks of strength training and how your body builds new muscle proteins.
This research could help us develop better strategies to help athletes improve their performance, assist older adults in maintaining muscle strength, and support people with muscle-wasting conditions.
Are you eligible?
In addition to being generally healthy and between the ages of 18 and 35, you must meet the following criteria to participate:
- No history of lower-body resistance training for at least 6 months
- Not currently following a vegan diet
- No nut allergies
- No recent participation in isotope tracer studies
- Non-smoker and no illicit drug use
What does the study involve?
If you are eligible and choose to participate, you will complete a supervised lower-body resistance training program 3 times per week for 10 weeks at the Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport (100 Devonshire Place). The training involves machine-based exercises (leg press and leg extension) tailored to your strength level.
Your participation will also include:
- Body Composition Analysis: We will measure your lean muscle and fat mass using a BodPod.
- Muscle Biopsies: We will collect small muscle tissue samples from the thigh to analyze changes in muscle structure.
- Metabolic Tracking: You will consume small daily amounts of "heavy water" (a safe, tasteless marker) to help us track muscle protein growth.
We understand this is a time commitment, so we are pleased to be able to offer up to $650 compensation for your time and effort upon full completion of the study.
Contact us
If this sounds interesting and you would like to participate, the first step is to complete our screening survey to determine if you meet the initial eligibility criteria.
If you have specific questions before applying, please contact the lead researcher, Jonathan Aguilera, at jonathanalejandro.aguilera@mail.utoronto.ca