Muscular strength changes in hospitalized anorexic patients after an eight week resistance training program

• Published in: International journal of sports medicine Vol. 27; no. 8; p. 660
• Main Authors: Chantler, I, Szabo, C P, Green, K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01-08-2006
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Anorexia Nervosa - physiopathology; Anorexia Nervosa - rehabilitation; Elbow Joint - physiology; Female; Hospitalization; Humans; Knee Joint - physiology; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Physical Education and Training; Torque
• ISSN: 0172-4622
• DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-865812

We investigated whether an eight week, light resistance program could increase the muscular strength of the knee and elbow extensors and flexors in a group of hospitalized anorexic patients compared to anorexic controls (AC) who did not participate in the training program, but received the same caloric intake, and non-anorexic exercisers (NAE) who undertook the resistance training program. After the resistance training program, the seven anorexic exercisers (AE) significantly increased the peak torque (PT) of their knee extensors (p < 0.001), flexors (p < 0.0001) and elbow flexors (p < 0.01). In comparison, the seven anorexic non-exercisers (anorexic controls, AC) and seven non-anorexic exercisers (NAE), who performed the same program, showed no significant increase in peak torque after the program (p > 0.05). The study has demonstrated that an eight week, light resistance program increases the knee and elbow strength of the hospitalized anorexic patients.