Effects of Resistance Training at Different Loads on Inflammatory Biomarkers, Muscle Mass, Muscular Strength, and Physical Performance in Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

Carneiro, MAS, de Oliveira Júnior, GN, de Sousa, JFR, Murta, EFC, Orsatti, CL, Michelin, MA, Cyrino, ES, and Orsatti, FL. Effects of resistance training at different loads on inflammatory biomarkers, muscle mass, muscular strength, and physical performance in postmenopausal women. J Strength Cond Res 36(6): 1582–1590, 2022—It has been suggested that the effect of resistance training (RT) on circulating proinflammatory biomarkers may be dependent on muscle mass gain. A few recent studies have suggested that lower-load RT (LLRT; loads <50% of 1 repetition maximum [1RM] and repetition performed until, or close to, voluntary concentric failure) may be superior to higher-load RT (HLRT; loads >70% of 1RM) in increasing muscle mass. Hence, this study aimed to test whether LLRT is superior to HLRT for increasing muscle mass (total fat-free mass [TFFM] and leg fat-free mass [LFFM]) and improving circulating inflammatory biomarkers (interleukin [IL]-6, IL1-ra, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, and extracellular heat shock protein [eHSP]70) in postmenopausal women (PW) (primary outcome). The secondary outcome was to compare the changes in muscular strength and physical performance (4-meter walking test [4-M], timed-up-and-go [TUG] test, and sit-to-stand [STS] test) between the LLRT and HLRT. The PW were randomized into 2 groups: LLRT (n = 14; loads necessary to perform 30–35 repetitions) and HLRT (n = 15; loads necessary to perform 8–12 repetitions). The greater magnitude of increase in LFFM (p = 0.033) was observed in LLRT when compared with HLRT. Moreover, there was a trend for a greater increase in TFFM in LLRT over HLRT (p = 0.070). However, there were similar improvements in TNF-α and muscular strength (p < 0.001). Furthermore, there was no significant difference between the RT schemes on IL-6, IL-1ra, and eHSP70 levels. Thus, although performing LLRT until, or close to, voluntary concentric failure seems to provide a greater stimulus for an increase in muscle mass than HLRT, it does not seem to affect the responses in circulating inflammatory biomarkers, muscular strength, and physical performance in PW.

Resistance Training for Older Women: Do Adaptive Responses Support the ACSM and NSCA Position Stands?

“…Parallel to this, 10-15RM allowed for performing more repetitions (see Table 1). Notably, higher RT volume frequently results in greater gains in muscle mass (12,35). Therefore, this factor may have contributed to the superiority in SMM gains elicited by lower load over the higher load group.…”

“…Recently, more divergence has emerged, indicating that lower-load (30–35RM) may be more effective for increasing SMM than higher-load (8–12RM) while promoting similar muscular strength gains in older women after 12 wk of RT (12). Also, no difference in muscular strength and SMM was found after 8 wk of RT in moderate and low load (10RM vs 15RM) in older women (13).…”

“…Based on this, it is reasonable to believe that RT programs that elicit greater gains in SMM could result in more favorable metabolic and endocrine adaptations. However, the studies that evaluated the potential differences between lower and higher loads on metabolic profile in older adults yield conflicting results (12,(16)(17)(18).…”

Assessment of the relationship between sarcopenia and heart failure among postmenopausal women

“…Several different mechanisms may link these two conditions, such as menopause, in ammatory activity, oxidative stress, malabsorption, malnutrition, excessive ubiquitin-proteasome system activation a lack of physical activity, apoptosis, endothelial dysfunction, and poor muscle blood ow [6,11,15]. Menopause may be a particularly important mediator of the interplay between sarcopenia and HF, given that several reports have shown that reductions in estrogen levels are associated with the marked augmentation of the production of pro-in ammatory cytokines such as TNF-a, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-12, in turn enhancing visceral adiposity and reducing both muscle strength and muscle mass, increasing the risk of cardiovascular events and CHF [19,20]. Estrogens are also natural antioxidants, and the loss of estrogen production as a consequence of menopause thus contributes to the establishment of persistent oxidative stress which may contribute to more severe muscle atrophy and higher rates of cardiovascular events [21,22].…”

Effect of Different Load Intensity Transition Schemes on Muscular Strength and Physical Performance in Postmenopausal Women

“…The load intensity used in the first set of each exercise allowed individuals to perform between 27 (minimal) and 31 (maximum) repetitions (LL) or 8 (minimal) and 12 (maximum) repetitions (HL). The weight in each exercise was adjusted by 5% to 10% when the upper limit of the repetition zone was reached in the first set (LL = 31 repetitions and HL = 12 repetitions) (34)(35)(36).…”