Description

The aim of this study is to compare the effects of two BioCircuit training programmes, 'Tone Your Body' and 'Boost Performance', on physical fitness and body composition in adults aged 30-65 years. The aim is to determine whether these programmes achieve their intended outcomes - specifically, whether Tone Your Body is effective in reducing body fat while promoting muscle toning, and whether Boost Performance improves strength and endurance. The study will assess which of the two programmes leads to greater improvements in muscle mass, body fat reduction and overall physical fitness.

The study is designed as a randomised parallel group trial using a minimisation technique to ensure that key variables such as age, gender and baseline handgrip strength are balanced between the two groups. Participants will be assigned to one of two BioCircuit programmes: "Tone Your Body" or "Boost Performance". Each programme consists of six total body strength exercises and two cardio exercises, both structured in a circuit format. Each exercise is performed for 45 seconds, followed by a 40-second rest between machines. The endurance exercises are performed for 3 minutes and 35 seconds each. The intervention will last 12 weeks, with participants training three times a week on Technogym's BioCircuit equipment, which provides personalised, automated training based on individual fitness levels.

The Tone Your Body group focuses on improving body composition through moderate-intensity whole-body resistance exercise combined with cardio training. This programme is designed to reduce body fat while promoting muscle toning, with an emphasis on overloading the eccentric phase of each repetition by 20% to maximise muscle development.

The Boost Performance group aims to improve physical performance, particularly strength and endurance. This programme involves higher intensity resistance training with a viscous resistance mechanism designed to build muscle strength, power and endurance. Participants in this group will also undergo performance tests, including the jump and reach test, one-minute squats and one-minute push-ups, to assess improvements in explosive strength and muscular endurance.

Both groups will undergo the same 10RM strength tests at baseline and post-intervention using the Smith machine for bench press and leg press to measure maximum strength. In addition, all participants, regardless of group, will undergo the same assessments at baseline and post-intervention, including measurements of body composition (using bioimpedance analysis), muscle mass, body fat percentage, and physical performance tests. Circumference measurements of the arms, legs and waist will also be taken to track changes in body composition over time. Participants will be instructed to maintain their usual dietary habits throughout the 12-week intervention period. They will be asked not to make any significant changes to their diet or to introduce any new dietary supplements, as these could influence the outcomes related to muscle strength, body composition and overall physical fitness.

The primary outcome measures will focus on changes in skeletal muscle mass, body fat percentage and overall physical fitness. Secondary outcomes will include participant satisfaction with the programme as measured by a standardised customer satisfaction questionnaire (CSAT) and changes in circumference measurements.

Participants will be healthy adults aged 30-65 years with less than six months experience of resistance training. Individuals with a history of coronary heart disease, stroke or conditions that would affect their ability to participate in exercise will be excluded from the study. Recruitment will take place through a local fitness centre and all participants will provide written informed consent before the start of the study.

This study aims to provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of BioCircuit training programmes in a real-world setting. The results will help inform future fitness interventions and provide evidence for the benefits of automated, personalised training programmes in improving body composition and physical performance in adults.