Effect of resistance training on C-reactive protein, blood glucose and lipid profile in older women with differing levels of RT experience.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of a progressive resistance training (RT) program on C-reactive protein (CRP), blood glucose (GLU), and lipid profile in older women with differing levels of RT experience. Sixty-five older women (68.9 ± 6.1 years, 67.1 ± 13.1 kg) were separated according to RT experience: an advanced group composed by 35 participants who previously carried out 24 weeks of RT and a novice group composed by 30 participants without previous experience in RT (n = 30). Both groups performed a RT program comprised of eight exercises targeting all the major muscles. Training was carried out 3 days/week for 8 weeks. Serum triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), GLU, and CRP concentrations were determined pre- and post- intervention after 12 h fasting. A significant group by time interaction (P < 0.05) for the TC (novice = −1.9 % vs. advanced = 1.0 %), and CRP (novice = −22.9 % vs. advanced = −54.5 %) was observed. A main effect of time (P < 0.05) was identified for the GLU (novice = −2.6 % vs. advanced = −6.6 %), TG (novice = −12.9 % vs. advanced = −5.7 %), HDL-C (novice = +6.7 % vs. advanced = +2.6 %), and LDL-C (novice = −34.0 % vs. advanced = −25.4 %). These results suggest that RT improves the metabolic profile of older women and that training for a longer period of time seems to produce more pronounced reductions mainly on CRP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]