The effect of moderate-intensity resistance training on health-related outcomes in older adults

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The inclusion of resistance training as part of an exercise program to improve and maintainhealth, and prevent disease in older adults, has been endorsed by the American HeartAssociation, American College of Sport Medicine, and the American Diabetes Association(Nelson et al., 2007; Braith & Stewart, 2006). However, relevant research is limited in healthysedentary older adults. The literature also provides contradicting evidence regarding the effectof resistance training to improve health and functional status in older adults. The purpose ofthis study was to investigate the effect of moderate-intensity resistance training on healthrelatedoutcomes in healthy sedentary older adults.Forty-one healthy sedentary individuals were randomly assigned to either an experimental(RESIS) or control group (CON). The RESIS (women: n = 15, 61.47 ± 4.98 yrs; men: n = 7,64.29 ± 5.41 yrs) participated in a supervised 16-week moderate-intensity resistance trainingintervention. The intervention consisted of seven resistance exercises performed for threesets, of increasing resistance (50%, 75% and 100% of 10-RM), of 10 repetitions for eachexercise, 3 sessions per week. The CON (men: n = 8, 63.00 ± 5.35 yrs; women: n = 11, 62.09± 6.20 yrs) did not participate in an intervention. Variables assessed pre-, and post-interventionincluded body composition, blood lipid profile, 10-RM bench press and incline leg press,functional capacity via the Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG) test and perceived health status via theSF-36 health survey.The results showed that moderate-intensity resistance training significantly improve bodycomposition and functional outcomes. However, no significant improvements were evident inblood lipid profile. Practically significant increases in percentage muscle mass (ES = 0.81), fatfreemass (ES = 0.62), and resting energy expenditure (ES = 0.64) were observed. Practicallysignificant decreases in body fat percentage (ES = 0.78), total body (ES = 0.70) and abdominalfat mass as measured by waist circumference (ES =0.83) were also evident. Upper- and lowerbody strength increased significantly by 37% and 167%, respectively (p < 0.0001) andfunctional capacity was significantly improved (p < 0.05). The results also demonstratedsignificant improvements in the physical functioning domain of the SF-36 health survey (P <0.05).Sixteen weeks of moderate-intensity resistance training was shown to be an effective trainingmethod to improve health status and prevent obesity by improving body composition in healthysedentary older adults. Moderate-intensity resistance training was also beneficial to improvephysical performance and functional status in healthy sedentary older adults. However, moderate-intensity resistance training was not a sufficient stimulus to improve blood lipidprofile in this population group.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University