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This study aimed to compare the effects of four resistance exercise orders on muscular strength, body composition, functional fitness, cardiovascular risk factors, and mental health parameters in trained older women.The intervention lasted 63 wk. Sixty-one physically independent women (60 yr) after completing a 12-wk resistance training (RT) preconditioning phase were randomized into four different exercise orders groups to perform 12 wk of RT: multijoint to single-joint and upper- to lower-body, single-joint to multijoint and upper- to lower-body, multijoint to single-joint and lower- to upper-body, and single-joint to multijoint and lower- to upper-body. This was followed by a 12-wk detraining period and another 12-wk RT in which exercise orders were crossed over between MJ-SJ and SJ-MJ conditions. Body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), muscular strength (one-repetition maximum tests), functional fitness (gait speed, walking agility, 30-s chair stand, and 6-min walk tests), cardiovascular risk factors (glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, C-reactive protein, advanced oxidation protein product, total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter, and nitric oxide), depressive (Geriatric Depression Scale) and anxiety symptoms (Beck Anxiety Inventory), and cognitive performance (Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Trail Making, verbal fluency, and Stroop test) were analyzed.After the final training period, all groups presented significant improvements ( P0.05) in almost all analyzed variables (muscular strength, body composition, functional tests, blood biomarkers, and mental health parameters), without significant difference among exercise orders.Our results suggest that RT exercise orders in which MJ, SJ, upper, or lower-body exercises are performed first have similar effects on health parameters in trained older women.

Costa, BDV, Kassiano, W, Nunes, JP, Kunevaliki, G, Castro-E-Souza, P, Sugihara-Junior, P, Fernandes, RR, Cyrino, ES, and de Fortes, LS. Does varying resistance exercises for the same muscle group promote greater strength gains? J Strength Cond Res 36(11): 3032-3039, 2022-Two of the foremost principles of progression are progressive overload and variation. A way to vary within a resistance training (RT) program is to perform different exercises for the same muscle group; however, this strategy is still overlooked. The purpose of the present study was to compare strength adaptations between an RT routine that maintained the exercises fixed (N-VAR) and another that varied the exercises for the same muscle group during the weekly sessions (VAR). Twenty-three young men (23.3 ± 4.1 years) were randomly allocated to N-VAR ( n = 11) and VAR ( n = 12) conditions. The RT was performed 3 times a week for 9 weeks and consisted of a whole-body routine (3 sets of 8-12 repetitions). Maximum dynamic strength was assessed using the 1-repetition maximum test (1RM), and the isometric strength was assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer, before and after training. Following the training period, both groups increased the 1RM values in all exercises ( p ≤ 0.002), without significant differences between them ( p ≥ 0.20). In contrast, a greater increase ( p = 0.02) in isometric knee extension strength was showed to N-VAR (+12%) compared with VAR (+7%). There was no significant increase in both groups for isometric knee flexion strength (N-VAR, p = 0.10; VAR, p = 0.18). Our findings indicate that maintaining or varying the exercises for the same muscle group promotes similar adaptations in the maximum dynamic strength. In contrast, for the isometric strength in knee extension, maintaining the fixed exercises seems to be more interesting.

There is a heated debate regarding the effectiveness of performing the barbell hip thrust to elicit gluteus maximus hypertrophy. Notably, evidence on this topic is lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effects of performing 45º leg press and stiff-leg deadlift (L-S) vs. performing 45º leg press, stiff-leg deadlift plus barbell hip thrust (L-S-BHT) on gluteus maximus muscle size. The sample comprised 33 untrained young women randomly separated into 2 resistance training groups: L-S (n = 15) and L-S-BHT (n = 18). The muscle thickness of the gluteus maximus was assessed through B-mode ultrasound before and after 30 resistance training sessions. The resistance training program was carried out over 10 weeks, 3 days·week− 1. Both training regimens elicited significant increases in gluteus maximus muscle thickness from pre to posttraining (P P = 0.016). The current results suggest that performing barbell hip thrust enhances muscle hypertrophy of the gluteus maximus in untrained young women. From a practical perspective, the inclusion of barbell hip thrust should be considered when the prescription aims to optimize the gluteus maximums hypertrophy.

To date, no meta-analytical study evaluating the benefits of resistance exercise intervention on muscular strength and power and functional capacity in acute hospitalized older adults was conducted. Then, to synthesize the emerging evidence on the effects of resistance exercise intervention on muscular strength and power and functional capacity in acute hospitalized older adults, two independent authors performed a systematic search (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and SciELO) until January 2021. Randomized clinical trials were included regarding the effects of resistance exercise and hospital usual care. The Cochrane Collaboration assessment tool was used to analyze the risk of bias. The comparisons included muscular strength (isometric handgrip strength and one-repetition maximum test of leg press), muscular power (output during leg press exercise), and functional capacity (timed-up-and-go, and short physical performance battery). Resistance exercise intervention increased muscular strength (isometric handgrip strength: mean difference = 2.50 kg, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.33, 3.67; and one-repetition maximum test of leg press: mean difference = 19.28 kg, 95% confidence interval = 14.70, 23.86) and muscular power (mean difference = 29.52 W, 95% confidence interval = 28.84, 30.21), and functional capacity (timed-up-and-go: mean difference = 3.40 s, 95% confidence interval = 0.47, 6.36; and short physical performance battery: mean difference = 1.29 points, 95% confidence interval = 0.10, 2.48) at discharge compared with hospital usual care. This meta-analysis endorses the increase of muscular strength and power gains and improving the functional capacity in favor of resistance exercise intervention in acute hospitalized older adults. TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020203658 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11357-021-00446-7.

The study aimed to compare the effect of performing the same or different exercises for a muscle group on resistance training (RT) sessions on muscle hypertrophy at different sites along muscle length. Twenty-two detrained men (23.3±4.1 years) were randomly allocated to the following groups: a group that performed the same exercises in all training sessions (N-VAR=11) or one that varied the exercises for the same muscle groups (VAR=11). All were submitted to 3 weekly sessions for nine weeks. Muscle thickness was assessed at the proximal, middle, and distal sites of the lateral and anterior thigh, elbow flexors, and extensors by B-mode ultrasound. The VAR group significantly increased all the sites analyzed (P0.05). Our results suggest that to perform different resistance exercises can induce hypertrophy of all sites assessed in detrained young men.

Many factors may influence the magnitude of individual responses to resistance training (RT). How the manipulation of training volume and frequency affects responsiveness level for muscle mass gain in older women has not been investigated. This study had the objective of identifying responders (RP) and non-responders (N-RP) older women for skeletal muscle mass (SMM) gain from a 12-week resistance training (RT) program. Additionally, we analyzed whether the N-RP could gain SMM with an increase in weekly training volume over 12 additional weeks of training. Thirty-nine older women (aged ≥ 60 years) completed 24 weeks of a whole-body RT intervention (eight exercises, 2–3×/week, 1–2 sets of 10–15 repetitions). SMM was estimated by DXA, and the responsive cut-off value was set at two times the standard error of measurement. Participants were considered as RP if they exceeded the cut-off value after a 12-week RT phase, while the N-RP were those who failed to reach the SMM cut-off. Of the 22 participants considered to be N-RP, only 3 accumulated SMM gains (P = 0.250) that exceeded the cut-off point for responsiveness following 12 additional weeks of training, while 19 maintained or presented negative SMM changes. Of the 17 participants considered to be RP, all continued to gain SMM after the second 12-week RT phase. No significant correlation was observed between the changes in SMM and any baseline aspect of the participants. Our results suggest that some older women are RP, while others are N-RP to SMM gains resulting from RT. Furthermore, the non-responsiveness condition was not altered by an increase of training volume and intervention duration while RP participants continue to increase SMM; it appears that RP continue to be RP, and N-RP continue to be N-RP.

Introdução: A massa muscular esquelética (MME) é um componente da composição corporal que exerce importante papel para à saúde, prevenção e controle de diversas doenças. Maiores níveis de MME estão relacionados a um quadro clínico mais favorável à saúde e maior independência física em idosos. Por outro lado, a redução progressiva da MME durante o envelhecimento pode comprometer a produção de força muscular e a autonomia, favorecendo o desenvolvimento de doenças como a sarcopenia, que está associada a um maior risco de quedas, fraturas e mortalidade. Ainda que o treinamento resistido (TR) seja uma estratégia eficaz para a melhoria da MME, força muscular e aptidão funcional, a possível influência dos valores iniciais de MME sobre a magnitude das respostas adaptativas associadas a esse tipo de treinamento, bem como o impacto que a responsividade ao ganho de MME pode exercer sobre as alterações desses parâmetros, ainda, não está bem estabelecido pela literatura. Objetivos: (a) Analisar os efeitos de 12 semanas de TR sobre a força muscular dinâmica, qualidade muscular, aptidão funcional e hipertrofia muscular em mulheres idosas destreinadas, de acordo os níveis iniciais de MME; (b) investigar o impacto da responsividade aos ganhos de MME após 12 semanas de TR sobre a força muscular dinâmica e aptidão funcional em mulheres idosas destreinadas. Métodos: Cento e seis mulheres idosas (idade = 69,2 ± 5,6 anos; massa corporal = 65,5 ± 12,1 kg; estatura = 154,6 ± 6,1 cm; IMC = 27,29 ± 4,13 kg/m²) fisicamente independentes foram submetidas a um programa de TR para os diferentes segmentos corporais ao longo de 12 semanas (oito exercícios, três séries de 10 a 15 repetições, três sessões semanais). Medidas de força muscular dinâmica (testes de 1RM), aptidão funcional (testes motores) e massa isenta de gordura e osso (MIGO) foram obtidas pré e pós-intervenção. Adicionalmente, a MME foi estimada a partir da MIGO apendicular por absortometria radiológica de dupla energia. O índice de qualidade muscular (IQM) foi determinado pela razão entre a força muscular (1RM) e MIGO. Para a análise do efeito da MME sobre as respostas adaptativas induzidas pelo TR, a amostra foi dividida em três grupos, de acordo com os tercis de MME relativa à estatura² na linha de base, a saber: tercil inferior (INF, n = 35), intermediário (INT, n = 36) e superior (SUP, n = 35). Adicionalmente, para a análise do impacto exercido pela responsividade aos ganhos de MME após 12 semanas de TR sobre as respostas adaptativas de força muscular dinâmica e aptidão funcional a amostra foi dividida em dois grupos, a partir da responsividade ao ganho de MME (aumento ≥ 0,580 kg), a saber: não-responsivas (N-RP, n = 51) e responsivas (RP, n = 55). Equações de estimativas generalizadas (GEE) foram utilizadas para as comparações intra e intergrupos. Modelos lineares generalizados (GZLM) foram utilizados para as comparações das características gerais da amostra entre os grupos no pré-treinamento e a mudança percentual (Δ%) do pré para o pós-treinamento. A significância estatística estabelecida foi de P < 0,05. Resultados: Diferenças estatisticamente significantes (P < 0,05) foram observadas entre os grupos INF e SUP após 12 semanas de TR, com os maiores tamanho de efeito sendo revelados para o grupo INF na MIGO de membros inferiores (INF = 0,47; INT = 0,40; SUP = 0,19), MIGO apendicular (INF = 0,44; INT = 0,41; SUP = 0,23), MME (INF = 0,44; INT = 0,40; SUP = 0,22), 1RM no supino vertical (INF = 0,83; INT = 0,50; SUP = 0,41), carga total levantada em testes de 1-RM (INF = 0,66; INT = 0,53; SUP = 0,38), IQM de tronco (INF = 0,88; INT = 0,49; SUP = 0,33), IQM total (INF = 0,62; INT = 0,42; SUP = 0,30) e no teste de sentar e levantar (INF = 0,63; INT = 0,48; SUP = 0,08). Aumentos estatisticamente significantes (P < 0,05) foram encontradas para MIGO de membros superiores (INF = 0,27; INT = 0,33; SUP = 0,27), MIGO total (INF = 0,25; INT = 0,20; SUP = 0,12), 1RM na rosca scott (INF = 0,86; INT = 1,03; SUP = 1,07), IQM de membros superiores (INF = 0,69; INT = 0,65; SUP = 0,74) e no teste de caminhada de 6 min (INF = 0,34; INT = 0,63; SUP = 0,51), sem diferenças entre os grupos (P > 0,05). Em contrapartida, não foram identificadas mudanças estatisticamente significantes intra e intergrupos (P > 0,05) para MIGO de tronco (INF = 0,06; INT = 0,01; SUP = 0,02), 1RM na cadeira extensora (INF = 0,21; INT = 0,25; SUP = 0,02), IQM de membros inferiores (INF = -0,01; INT = 0,06; SUP = - 0,05), teste de flexão de cotovelo (INF = 0,35; INT = 0,36; SUP = 0,24) e no teste de levantar da cadeira e caminhar (INF = -0,14; INT = -0,26; SUP = -0,39). Na segunda análise diferenças estatisticamente significantes (P < 0,05) foram observadas entre os grupos N-RP e RP após 12 semanas de TR, com os maiores tamanho de efeito sendo observados para o grupo RP para MIGO de membros superiores (N-RP = 0,12 e RP = 0,32), MIGO de membros inferiores (N-RP = -0,01 e RP = 0,46), MIGO apendicular (N-RP = 0,03 e RP = 0,44), MIGO total (N-RP = -0,02 e RP = 0,27) e MME (N-RP = 0,02 e RP = 0,43). Por outro lado, o grupo N-RP apresentou maior tamanho de efeito no teste de flexão de cotovelo (N-RP = 0,65 e RP = 0,02). Aumentos estatisticamente significantes (P < 0,05) foram encontradas para 1RM no supino vertical (N-RP = 0,52 e RP = 0,55), 1RM na rosca scott (N-RP = 0,91 e RP = 0,76), carga total levantada em testes de 1-RM (N-RP = 0,44 e RP = 0,45), teste de caminhada de 6 min (N-RP = 0,47 e RP = 0,53) e teste de sentar e levantar (N-RP = 0,40 e RP = 0,39), sem diferenças entre os grupos (P > 0,05). Em contrapartida, não foram identificadas mudanças estatisticamente significantes intra e intergrupos (P > 0,05) para 1RM na cadeira extensora (N-RP = 0,12 e RP = 0,16), MIGO de tronco (N-RP = -0,06 e RP = 0,09) e para o teste de levantar da cadeira e caminhar (N-RP = -0,17 e RP = -0,32). Conclusão: Os resultados sugerem que o comportamento da força muscular dinâmica, qualidade muscular, aptidão funcional e hipertrofia muscular após 12 semanas de TR pode ser influenciado pelos níveis iniciais de MME em mulheres idosas previamente destreinadas, com as maiores respostas adaptativas sendo encontradas no tercil inferior para a maioria das variáveis analisadas. Além disso, a responsividade ao ganho de MME parece não influenciar nas respostas adaptativas da força muscular dinâmica e aptidão funcional em mulheres idosas destreinadas após 12 semanas de TR. Introduction: Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) is a component of body composition that plays an important role in health, prevention, and control of various diseases. Higher levels of SMM are related to a clinical status more favorable to health and greater physical independence in the elderly. On the other hand, the progressive reduction in SMM during aging can compromise the production of muscle strength and autonomy in the elderly, favoring the development of diseases such as sarcopenia, which is associated with a higher risk of falls, fractures, and mortality. Although resistance training (RT) is an effective strategy to improve SMM, muscle strength and functional fitness, the possible influence of initial SMM values on the magnitude of adaptive responses associated with this type of training, in addition to the role of responsiveness to SMM gain on the changes in these parameters is not yet well established. Objectives: (a) To analyze the effects of 12 weeks of RT on dynamic muscular strength, muscle quality, functional fitness and muscle hypertrophy in detrained elderly women, according to the initial levels of SMM; (b) to investigate the impact of responsiveness to SMM gains after 12 weeks of RT on dynamic muscular strength and functional fitness in detrained elderly women. Methods: One hundred and six older women (age = 69.2 ± 5.6 years, body mass = 65.5 ± 12.1 kg, height = 154.6 ± 6.1 cm, BMI = 27.29 ± 4.13 kg/m²) physically independent performed a RT program for the different body segments over 12 weeks (eight exercises, three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions, three weekly sessions). Dynamic muscular strength measures (1RM tests), functional fitness (motor tests) and lean soft tissue (LST) were obtained pre- and post-intervention. Additionally, the SMM was estimated from the appendicular LST by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The muscle quality index (MQI) was determined by the ratio between muscle strength (1RM) and LST. To analyze the effect of SMM on the adaptive responses induced by TR, the sample was divided into three groups, according to the tertiles of SMM relative to height² at baseline, namely: lower tertile (LWR, n = 35), middle (MID, n = 36) and upper (UPP, n = 35). Additionally, the sample was divided into two groups, based on responsiveness to SMM gain (increase ≥ 0.580 kg), to investigate the effect of responsiveness to SMM gains after 12 weeks of RT on adaptive responses of dynamic muscle strength and functional fitness, namely: non-responsive (N-RP, n = 51) and responsive (RP, n = 55). Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used for intra and inter-group comparisons. Generalized linear models (GZLM) were used to compare the general characteristics of the sample between the groups in the pre-training and the percentage change (Δ%) from pre to post-training. The statistical significance established was P < 0.05. Results: Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed between the LWR and UPP groups after 12 weeks of RT, with the largest effect sizes being revealed for the LWR group in the lower limbs LST (LWR = 0.47, MID = 0.40, UPP = 0.19), appendicular LST (LWR = 0.44, MID = 0.41, UPP = 0.23), SMM (LWR = 0.44, MID = 0.40, UPP = 0.22), 1RM values in chest press (LWR = 0.83, MID = 0.50, UPP = 0.41), total load lifted in 1-RM tests (LWR = 0.66, MID = 0.53, UPP = 0.38), trunk MQI (LWR = 0.88, MID = 0.49, UPP = 0.33), total MQI (LWR = 0.62, MID = 0.42, UPP = 0.30) and 30-s chair stand (LWR = 0.63, MID = 0.48, UPP = 0.08). Statistically significant increases (P < 0.05) were found for upper limbs LST (LWR = 0.27, MID = 0.33, UPP = 0.27), total LST (LWR = 0.25, MID = 0.20, UPP = 0.12), 1RM values in preacher curl (LWR = 0.86, MID = 1.03, UPP = 1.07), upper limbs MQI (LWR = 0.69, MID = 0.65, UPP = 0.74) and 6 min walk (LWR = 0.34, MID = 0.63, UPP = 0.51), without differences between groups (P > 0.05). In contrast, no statistically significant changes were identified intra and intergroups (P > 0.05) for trunk LST (LWR = 0.06, MID = 0.01, UPP = 0.02), 1RM values in leg extension (LWR = 0.21, MID = 0.25, UPP = 0.02), lower limbs MQI (LWR = -0.01, MID = 0.06, UPP = -0.05), elbow flexion (LWR = 0.35, MID = 0.36, UPP = 0.24) and 8-foot up-and-go (LWR = -0.14, MID = - 0.26, UPP = -0.39). In the second analysis statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed between the N-RP and RP groups after 12 weeks of RT, with the largest effect sizes being observed for the RP group in the upper limbs LST (N-RP = 0.12 and RP = 0.32), lower limbs LST (N-RP = -0.01 and RP = 0.46), appendicular LST (N-RP = 0.03 and RP = 0.44), total LST (N-RP = -0.02 and RP = 0.27) and SMM (N-RP = 0.02 and RP = 0.43). On the other hand, the N-RP group had a larger effect size in the elbow flexion (N-RP = 0.65 and RP = 0.02). Statistically significant increases (P < 0.05) were found for 1RM values in chest press (N-RP = 0.52 and RP = 0.55), 1RM values in preacher curl (N-RP = 0.91 and RP = 0.76), total load lifted in 1-RM tests (N-RP = 0.44 and RP = 0.45), 6 min walk (N-RP = 0.47 and RP = 0.53), and 30-s chair stand (N-RP = 0.40 and RP = 0.39), without differences between groups (P > 0.05). On the other hand, no statistically significant intra and intergroup changes were identified (P > 0.05) for 1RM values in leg extension (N-RP = 0.12 and RP = 0.16), trunk LST (N-RP = -0.06 and RP = 0.09) and 8-foot up-and-go (N-PR = -0.17 and RP = -0.32). Conclusion: The results suggest that the behavior of dynamic muscular strength, muscle quality, functional fitness and muscle hypertrophy after 12 weeks of RT can be influenced by the initial values of SMM in previously detrained older women, with the greatest adaptive responses being found in the lower tertile for most of the analyzed variables. Also, the responsiveness to SMM gain does not seem to influence the adaptive responses of dynamic muscular strength and functional fitness in detrained older women after 12 weeks of RT.

OBJECTIVES The purposes of this study were to analyze the effect of resistance training (RT) on depressive and anxiety symptomsand examine the possible consequences of age, cognitive alterations, and muscular strength on such symptoms.Method: Forty-one older women (68 ± 8 years) composed a training group (TG) or a control group (CG). The TG was submitted to a supervised, progressive RT program over 12 weeks, involving eight whole-body exercises performed with three sets of 8-12 repetitions, three days per week, whereas CG remains with no intervention for the same period. Muscular strength (one-repetition maximum tests), cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment - MoCA; Verbal Fluency Tests), depression (15-item eriatric Depression Scale - GDS-15), and anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory - BAI) were assessed before and after the intervention period. RESULTS There were observed significant (P < 0.001) RT-induced improvements on total muscular strength (TG: pre = 122.4 ± 24.1/post = 134.3 ± 36.7; CG: pre = 105.4 ± 15.4/post = 99.2 ± 17.1) and MoCA (TG: pre =21.7 ± 4.5/post = 22.5 ± 4.7; CG: pre = 20.3 ± 3.7/post = 19.3 ± 4.1). Depressive and anxiety symptoms (even when adjusted by chronological age and changes in muscular strength or cognitive function) were reduced with RT according to GDS-15 (TG: pre = 2.26 ± 1.53/post = 1.92 ± 1.68; CG: pre =2.68 ± 1.13/post = 2.25 ± 1.18) and BAI (TG: pre = 4.07 ± 5.68/post = 2.33 ± 3.71; CG: pre = 5.18 ± 7.70/post = 9.81 ± 7.10). The time x group interactions were significant for depressive and anxiety symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that a 12-week RT program reduces depressive and anxiety symptoms, regardless of age, muscular strength, and cognition function in older women.

The aims of this study were: (i) to analyze the relationship between the performance of different measures of muscular strength, and (ii) to identify which measurements present a greater relationship with an overall strength score. Sixty older women (aged 69 ± 6 years) were submitted to muscular strength measurements from isotonic, isokinetic, and isometric tests. An overall-strength score was generated with z-scores of the values obtained in all tests. Interquartile intervals were created for each measure and the overall-strength score. Pearson’s r (0.463–0.951, p < 0.05) and Cronbach’s α (0.500–0.966) suggested that subjects had relatively similar strength performance compared to their peers in the different tests. Greater associations were observed between tests for similar tasks. In addition, strong-magnitude associations were revealed between all the tests and the overall-strength score (r = 0.710–0.806; α = 0.760–0.846). Factor analysis identified that only two principal components may be sufficient to explain the strength of the sample. All strength measures had high loadings (0.716–0.916) on a common factor with 1 component. The associated eigenvalue with 2 components was 6.8 (84% of the variance). The present results support the phenomenon of the generality of strength in older women. Although greater correlations were observed for tests performed at the same joint, movement, or type of muscular action, the eight tests satisfactorily represented a measure of general muscular strength cross-sectionally.

We compared the magnitude of muscular strength changes among older women occupants of different strength tertiles in response to progressive resistance-training (RT). Additionally, we examined the possibility of older women initially characterized as weak (occupants of the lower tertile of strength status) can achieve a higher muscular strength level to be inserted into a better category (middle or upper tertiles). The present investigation was attended by 113 physically independent older women (>60 years old). Muscular strength was assessed by one-repetition maximum (1RM) tests on chest press, preacher curl, leg extension exercises, and by the isokinetic (ISOK) peak torque of knee extension and flexion at 60 and 180°/s angular velocities. The RT lasted 12 weeks (3 x/week) and consisted of eight exercises for the whole body. The participants were divided into tertiles (LOWER, MIDDLE, and UPPER) according to the performance at baseline for each strength measure. After RT, the LOWER tertile showed more significant magnitude gains than the UPPER tertile to the 1RM in leg extension and preacher curl and isokinetic measurements (6.9–36.3%). A considerable number of older women increased muscular strength enough to move from LOWER to MIDDLE or UPPER tertiles. From our results, it can be inferred that older women occupants of the lower strength tertile show more significant muscular strength gains when compared to their stronger counterparts. Moreover, 12 weeks of RT seem to be sufficient to transfer older women previously characterized as “weak” to a better category.

Nunes, JP, Costa, BDV, Kassiano, W, Kunevaliki, G, Castro-e-Souza, P, Rodacki, ALF, Fortes, LS, and Cyrino, ES. Different foot positioning during calf training to induce portion-specific gastrocnemius muscle hypertrophy. J Strength Cond Res 34(8): 2347-2351, 2020-The aim of this study was to compare the changes in gastrocnemius muscle thickness (MT) between conditions such as which foot was pointed outward (FPO), foot was pointed inward (FPI), or foot was pointed forward (FPF). Twenty-two young men (23 ± 4 years) were selected and performed a whole-body resistance training program 3 times per week for 9 weeks, with differences in the exercise specific for calves. The calf-raise exercise was performed unilaterally, in a pin-loaded seated horizontal leg-press machine, in 3 sets of 20-25 repetitions for training weeks 1-3 and 4 sets for weeks 4-9. Each subject's leg was randomly assigned for 1 of the 3 groups according to the foot position: FPO, FPI, and FPF. Measurements with a B-mode ultrasound were performed to assess changes in MT of medial and lateral gastrocnemius heads. After the training period, there were observed increases in MT of both medial (FPO = 8.4%, FPI = 3.8%, and FPF = 5.8%) and lateral (FPO = 5.5%, FPI = 9.1%, and FPF = 6.4%) gastrocnemius heads, and significant differences for magnitude of the gains were observed between FPO and FPI conditions (p < 0.05). Positioning FPO potentiated the increases in MT of the medial gastrocnemius head, whereas FPI provided greater gains for the lateral gastrocnemius head. Our results suggest that head-specific muscle hypertrophy may be obtained selectively for gastrocnemius after 9 weeks of calf training in young male adults.

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T12:28:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-12-01 Ministry of Education Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) The purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of three resistance exercise orders on muscular strength, body composition, and functional fitness in trained older women. Forty-five women (aged >= 60 years), after performing 12 weeks of a pre-conditioning resistance-training program were randomly assigned in one of the following groups that performed the exercises in the following orders: multi-joint to single-joint order (MJ-SJ, n=15), single-joint to multi-joint order (SJ-MJ, n=15), and alternating between upper and lower body order (ALT, n=15). Specific training intervention lasted 12 weeks (3x/week) and was composed of eight exercises performed in three sets of 15/10/5 repetitions, with increasing load through the sets. Muscular strength was estimated by one-repetition maximum tests; body composition was assessed by whole-body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and functional fitness was analyzed with a sequence of four motor tests. All groups improved similarly in muscular strength (Cohen's effect size: MJ-SJ=0.45; SJ-MJ=0.48; ALT=0.45), skeletal muscle mass (MJ-SJ=0.08; SJ-MJ=0.07; ALT=0.09), and functional test performance (MJ-SJ=0.38; SJ-MJ=0.20; ALT=0.31), but no change was observed for body fat ( P >0.05). The results suggest that 12 weeks of resistance training induce positive changes in muscle morphofunctionality, regardless of the exercise order employed in trained older women. Univ Estadual Londrina, Phys Educ & Sport Ctr, Metab Nutr & Exercise Lab, Londrina, PR, Brazil Univ Northern Parana, Ctr Res Hlth Sci, Londrina, PR, Brazil Univ Estadual Campinas, Dept Pediat, Campinas, SP, Brazil Sao Paulo State Univ, Sch Sci & Technol, Prudente, SP, Brazil Univ Lisbon, Fac Motricidade Humana, CIPER, Exercise & Hlth Lab, Lisbon, Portugal Sao Paulo State Univ, Sch Sci & Technol, Prudente, SP, Brazil CNPq: 309455/2013-8

Many factors may influence the magnitude of individual responses to resistance training (RT). How the manipulation of training volume and frequency affects responsiveness level for muscle mass gain in older women has not been investigated.This study had the objective of identifying responders (RP) and non-responders (N-RP) older women for skeletal muscle mass (SMM) gain from a 12-week resistance training (RT) program. Additionally, we analyzed whether the N-RP could gain SMM with an increase in weekly training volume over 12 additional weeks of training.Thirty-nine older women (aged ≥ 60 years) completed 24 weeks of a whole-body RT intervention (eight exercises, 2-3×/week, 1-2 sets of 10-15 repetitions). SMM was estimated by DXA, and the responsive cut-off value was set at two times the standard error of measurement. Participants were considered as RP if they exceeded the cut-off value after a 12-week RT phase, while the N-RP were those who failed to reach the SMM cut-off.Of the 22 participants considered to be N-RP, only 3 accumulated SMM gains (P = 0.250) that exceeded the cut-off point for responsiveness following 12 additional weeks of training, while 19 maintained or presented negative SMM changes. Of the 17 participants considered to be RP, all continued to gain SMM after the second 12-week RT phase. No significant correlation was observed between the changes in SMM and any baseline aspect of the participants.Our results suggest that some older women are RP, while others are N-RP to SMM gains resulting from RT. Furthermore, the non-responsiveness condition was not altered by an increase of training volume and intervention duration while RP participants continue to increase SMM; it appears that RP continue to be RP, and N-RP continue to be N-RP.