VARS Data

While resistance training promotes muscle hypertrophy, accessibility of equipment is a barrier. This study evaluated a wearable VAriable Resistance Suit (VARS) as a novel and alternative method to achieve muscle hypertrophy. It was hypothesized that by providing adjustable, bi-directional and speed dependent resistance, VARS can target specific muscles to improve muscle strength, size and mass in an accessible and portable device. Twelve untrained healthy male adults (22.08 ± 4.1 years old) participated in a 8-week long resistance training using VARS to strengthen four muscles (biceps brachii, triceps brachii, biceps femoris, rectus femoris) of their non-dominant arm and leg using VARS. The results showed significant improvements in the muscle strength measured by isokinetic dynamometer – 49.9±9.6% increase in isokinetic force and 30.6±7.6% increase in isometric force. Muscle size and body composition were also assessed using ultrasound imaging and bioelectrical impedance analysis, revealing moderate improvements but they did not reach statistically significant differences. The study demonstrates the efficacy and feasibility of VARS as a resistance training tool to achieve muscle hypertrophy and its potential extension to clinical populations to treat muscle atrophy, dystrophy or sarcopenia.