1. Elderly men and women benefit equally from prolonged resistance-type exercise training.
- Author
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Leenders M, Verdijk LB, van der Hoeven L, van Kranenburg J, Nilwik R, and van Loon LJ
- Subjects
- Absorptiometry, Photon methods, Aged, Biomarkers, Body Composition, Cholesterol blood, Cholesterol, HDL blood, Dietary Supplements, Female, Glycated Hemoglobin metabolism, Humans, Male, Muscle, Skeletal metabolism, Sarcopenia diagnostic imaging, Aging, Muscle Fibers, Skeletal metabolism, Muscle Strength, Resistance Training, Sarcopenia prevention & control
- Abstract
This study compares the effects of 6 months resistance-type exercise training (three times per week) between healthy elderly women (n = 24; 71±1 years) and men (n = 29; 70±1 years). Muscle mass (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry-computed tomography), strength (one-repetition maximum), functional capacity (sit-to-stand time), muscle fiber characteristics (muscle biopsies), and metabolic profile (blood samples) were assessed. Leg lean mass (3% ± 1%) and quadriceps cross-sectional area (9% ± 1%) increased similarly in both groups. One-repetition maximum leg extension strength increased by 42% ± 3% (women) and 43% ± 3% (men). Following training, type II muscle fiber size had increased, and a type II muscle fiber specific increase in myonuclear and satellite cell content was observed with no differences between genders. Sit-to-stand time decreased similarly in both groups. Glycemic control and blood lipid profiles improved to a similar extent in both women and men. A generic resistance-type exercise training program can be applied for both women and men to effectively counteract the loss of muscle mass and strength with aging.
- Published
- 2013
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