Comparative effects of high‐ and low‐intensity resistance training on thigh muscle strength, fiber area, and tissue composition in elderly women

Abstract

The effects of 52 weeks resistance training at one of two exercise intensities on thigh muscle strength, fiber cross-sectional area (CSA), and tissue composition were studied in healthy 65-79-year-old women. Subjects were assigned to either a control (CO), high-intensity (HI) or low-intensity (LO) training group. Exercise regimens consisted of three sets of leg press, knee extension, and knee flexion exercises, 3 days/week, at either 80% of one-repetition maximum (1-RM) for seven repetitions (HI) or 40% of 1-RM for 14 repetitions (LO). Dynamic muscle strength was evaluated by 1-RM, thigh lean tissue mass (LTM), fat mass, and bone mineral density (BMD, g/cm2) by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and fiber CSA of vastus lateralis m. by histomorphometry. Muscle strength increased, on average (+/- SEM), by 59.4 +/- 7.9% and 41.5 +/- 7.9% for HI and LO, respectively, compared to 1.3 +/- 4.8% in CO (P = 0.0001). Type I fiber CSA increased over time (P < 0.05) in both exercise groups, with a trend for increased type II area (HI, P = 0.06; LO, P = 0.11). There was no significant effect of either exercise program on thigh tissue composition, except for BMD at the 1/3 site (middle third of the femur), where LO and CO groups experienced a decline (P < 0.05) of -2.2 +/- 0.5% and -1.8 +/- 0.6%, respectively, while HI maintained BMD (+1.0 +/- 1.0%). Both training programs produced significant gains in thigh muscle strength, which were associated with fiber hypertrophy, although these did not translate into appreciable alterations in thigh tissue composition.

Relationship between Dietary Protein or Essential Amino Acid Intake and Training-Induced Muscle Hypertrophy among Older Individuals

“…RT at high intensity (70-85% 1-RM) typically induces a significant increase in muscle mass and function for both frail and healthy older individuals (19,24,25). However, several studies have also reported a significant increase in muscle mass with exercises at an intensity below 70% 1-RM as indicated by significant increase in muscle thickness (26) or fiber cross sectional area (27). In the current study, leg lean mass increased significantly after the 12-wk training period by an average of 2.9% (0.7-6.1% increase in leg lean mass).…”

“…This increase is similar to a 3% increase reported by Leenders et al, in which healthy men exercised using leg press and leg extension machines (4 sets of 8 repetitions) at a higher exercise intensity (75-80% 1-RM) for 24 wk (22). Similarly, Taaffe et al investigated the effect of low intensity (40% of 1-RM for 14 repetitions) and high intensity (80% of 1-RM for seven repetitions) RT using leg press, knee extension, and knee flexion exercises, 3 times a week for 52 wk among healthy older women (27). Exercise intensity and repetitions were designed such that the exercise volume (weight multiplied by repetition) was identical between groups.…”

Exercise can prevent and even reverse adverse effects of androgen suppression treatment in men with prostate cancer

“…Importantly, most of these training variables have been examined in healthy older adults and favorable responses in muscle strength and physical performance result from a range of training programs, including those using moderate exercise intensity, frequencies and volume of work. 11,42,43 However, it is also well known that acute and chronic manipulation of these variables results in distinct adaptations of the neuromuscular and skeletal systems. Practical examples of structured resistance programs based on previous studies 13,14 undertaken with ADT-treated men are shown in Table 4.…”

Cardiovascular and metabolic complications during androgen deprivation: exercise as a potential countermeasure

“…45,46 Extensive scientific literature supports resistance training (also known as weight training or strength training where an individual's muscles contract against a resistance -the resistance could be via a weight-training machine, free weights, bodyweight or elastic bands) as being the most effective exercise method available for enhancing muscle strength, muscle hypertrophy and physical function, and contributes to skeletal health. 47,48 Further, even in those with established and controlled cardiovascular disease, resistance training is beneficial and has been endorsed by the American Heart Association Council on Clinical Cardiology. 49 Resistance exercise has considerable potential to counteract the catabolic side effects of ADT by promoting positive effects on the musculoskeletal system.…”