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Effects of Fermented Red Clover on Muscle Strength and Muscle Mass

Effects of Fermented Red Clover on Muscle Strength and Muscle Protein Signaling in Postmenopausal Women

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04154306
Enrollment
10
Registered
2019-11-06
Start date
2019-11-01
Completion date
2020-11-01
Last updated
2020-11-04

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Estrogen Deficiency

Keywords

Isoflavones, Red clover, Muscle Function, Postmenopausal women

Brief summary

The project is designed as a randomized controlled, double-blinded, cross-over trial, including 10 healthy postmenopausal women consuming fermented red clover extract or placebo twice daily over a two-week period. After the first trial (two weeks), participants will undergo a two-week washout period, after which they will receive the opposite trial drink for two weeks. The trial period runs over six weeks. Before each of the two trial rounds, participants will meet in the laboratory and perform muscle strength tests (trial days 1 and 3). After each trial round (trial days 2 and 4), participants will meet fasting in the laboratory, and a blood test and a muscle biopsy will be taken initially. Next, the subject consumes the test drink (placebo or red clover extract) before the subject performs a strength training session with one leg. Right after the training session, the subject consumes a protein drink. Three hours after the protein drink, another muscle biopsy is taken. During the period from the protein drink to the final biopsy, the subject performs two muscle strength tests (respectively grip strength and maximum upper arm muscle strength (biceps)). The primary target parameter is muscle protein signaling measured in the muscle tissue samples using the western blotting method.

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTRed clover

2 weeks of Red clover

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTPlacebo

2 weeks of Placebo

Sponsors

University of Aarhus
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
40 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* maximum of 5 years since last menstrual bleeding * Minimum of 6 months since last menstrual bleeding

Exclusion criteria

* Performed systematic resistance training within the last 6 months * Smoker * Using any form of medicine influencing the effects of resistance training

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Muscle protein signalling measured by western blottingChange from pre to 3 hours post trainingChange in protein content between two time points

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
Forearm and biceps strength measured by maximal isometric muscle strengthChange from Pre to post intervention.

Countries

Denmark

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026