Resistance training-induced gains in muscle strength, body composition, and functional capacity are attenuated in elderly women with sarcopenic obesity

Abstract

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to compare the effects of resistance training (RT) on body composition, muscle strength, and functional capacity in elderly women with and without sarcopenic obesity (SO).MethodsA total of 49 women (aged ≥60 years) were divided in two groups: without SO (non-SO, n=41) and with SO (n=8). Both groups performed a periodized RT program consisting of two weekly sessions for 16 weeks. All measures were assessed at baseline and postintervention, including anthropometry and body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), muscle strength (one repetition maximum) for chest press and 45° leg press, and functional capacity (stand up, elbow flexion, timed “up and go”).ResultsAfter the intervention, only the non-SO group presented significant reductions in percentage body fat (−2.2%; P=0.006), waist circumference (−2.7%; P=0.01), waist-to-hip ratio (−2.3; P=0.02), and neck circumference (−1.8%; P=0.03) as compared with baseline. Muscle strength in the chest press and biceps curl increased in non-SO only (12.9% and 11.3%, respectively), while 45° leg press strength increased in non-SO (50.3%) and SO (40.5%) as compared with baseline. Performance in the chair stand up and timed “up and go” improved in non-SO only (21.4% and −8.4%, respectively), whereas elbow flexion performance increased in non-SO (23.8%) and SO (21.4%). Effect sizes for motor tests were of higher magnitude in the non-SO group, and in general, considered “moderate” compared to “trivial” in the SO group.ConclusionResults suggest that adaptations induced by 16 weeks of RT are attenuated in elderly woman with SO, compromising improvements in adiposity indices and gains in muscle strength and functional capacity.

Initial Dietary Protein Intake Influence Muscle Function Adaptations in Older Men and Women Following High-Intensity Interval Training Combined with Citrulline

“…In summary, our results suggest that the combination of HIIT and CIT induces a greater anti-obesity effect than HIIT alone, in a population of older obese adults, while maintaining muscle function. This is in line with the literature highlighting the importance of making efforts to promote healthy aging by consider both preventing obesity and maintaining or increasing skeletal muscle mass and function [51].…”

Prevention and Treatment of Sarcopenic Obesity in Women

“…Only RT as the sole treatment modality increased handgrip strength (+3.5 kg; p < 0.05 vs. all other groups). Similarly, improvement in strength, not in functional performance, was found in the small subgroup of women with SO in the RT treatment arm, in the study by de Olivera Silva et al, who also had a low frequency of exercise (2 session/week) [45]. On the contrary, Park et al [59] found that combined RT and AE training (5/week for 24 weeks) resulted in increased handgrip strength (+2.5 kg; p < 0.001 vs. baseline and vs. control) and walking speed (+0.15 m/s; p < 0.01 vs. baseline and vs. control).…”

“…Both RT strategies similarly increased skeletal muscle mass vs. controls, but the 50-min sessions resulted in a significantly higher increase in strength and a modestly greater reduction in fat mass than the 30-min sessions [44]. Beneficial effects of RT were found in the study by de Oliveira Silva et al comparing non-sarcopenic with sarcopenic women with obesity; in the non-sarcopenic subgroup RT resulted in the amelioration of functional tests and strength as well as a reduction in fat mass compared to pre-training values [45]. Two additional studies evaluating aerobic exercise (AE) as the sole intervention fulfilled the inclusion criteria for the present review.…”

Effect of 8-Week Resistance Training with Creatine Supplementation on Body Composition and Physical Fitness Indexes in Male Futsal Players

“…It's believed that creatine supplementation has an effect on the increase in the activity of skeletal muscles (14,15). It has been suggested that creatine supplementation and resistance training improve properties of body composition (16,17). One possible reason for the increased lean body mass following creatine supplementation and strength training may be due to the increase in the number of satellite cells and muscle nuclear density in human skeletal muscle fibers (18).…”