Elderly men and women benefit equally from prolonged resistance-type exercise training

• Published in: The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences Vol. 68; no. 7; pp. 769 - 779
• Main Authors: Leenders, Marika, Verdijk, Lex B, van der Hoeven, Letty, van Kranenburg, Janneau, Nilwik, Rachel, van Loon, Luc J C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Oxford University Press 01-07-2013
• Subjects: Absorptiometry, Photon - methods; Aged; Aging; Biomarkers; Body Composition; Cholesterol - blood; Cholesterol, HDL - blood; Dietary Supplements; Exercise; Female; Gender; Genetics; Glycated Hemoglobin A - metabolism; Humans; Male; Muscle Fibers, Skeletal - metabolism; Muscle Strength; Muscle, Skeletal - metabolism; Muscular system; Older people; Resistance Training; Sarcopenia - diagnostic imaging; Sarcopenia - prevention & control; Women; Function; Sarcopenia; Muscle mass; Strength; Men
• ISSN: 1079-5006; 1758-535X
• DOI: 10.1093/gerona/gls241

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.