Statistical analysis
To test for normality assumptions, the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was performed, and the Levene test was used to test for equal variance assumptions (p < 0.05). The independent-sample t-test was conducted if normality was assumed for baseline comparisons between groups in age, weight, body fat, maximum strength, and muscle thickness. The Mann–Whitney U test was conducted if normality was not assumed. For changes in all outcomes within the groups, a paired-sample t-test was used if normality and equal variance were assumed. If pre-test values were significantly different between groups at baseline, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was applied to test differences in post-test values between groups, including pretest values as a covariate, the posttest variable and the difference were taken as dependent variables respectively. Otherwise, the independent-sample t-test was conducted. The statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 26 (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The level of significance was set at p < 0.05, and all values are presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD).