The effect of resistance training on the human gut microbiota.

Exercise Intervention Participants randomised to the intervention group will complete a 12-week supervised resistance exercise training program prescribed three times per week on non-consecutive days. Each session will last approximately 60 minutes and consist of either one-on-one or group training with multiple participants (2–5) per trainer. The exercise prescription will be split into two 6-week programs progressing from machine-based prescription to free weight-style prescription. Following 5-10 minutes of light intensity warm-up, participants will complete 7-8 exercises targeting all the major muscle groups of the body. Three sets of 8-10 repetitions will be performed of each exercise prior to moving on to the following exercise. Sets will be performed to the point of concentric muscular fatigue, with the load being adjusted for each exercise to ensure fatigue is achieved in the target repetition range. Exercises will be substituted when deemed necessary due to musculoskeletal limitations. Participants will keep an exercise diary (completed at the supervised sessions) to monitor adherence to and progression of their programs. Intervention group participants will be instructed to refrain from performing any additional resistance-type or aerobic training for the duration of the study. A qualified exercise physiologist (Mr Alan Ezzy) will supervise all routines. Mr Ezzy holds a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science (Clinical Exercise Physiology) - 1st Class Honours from the University of New England. Mr Ezzy also has 12 months recent experience (2016) practicing as a clinical exercise physiologist. The intervention will take placein the exercise physiology laboratory on-campus at the University of New England, Armidale, NSW Australia.