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Lean Mass Gain with Resistance Training Is Independent of Gender
Author(s) -
Chen Vincnet,
Lee Chang Wook,
Lee Teak,
Chikani Gentle,
Riechman Steven
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.955.26
Subject(s) - lean body mass , resistance training , muscle mass , weight gain , medicine , strength training , significant difference , psychology , physical therapy , zoology , body weight , biology
Many people assume that resistance training has different effects on males and females with regard to muscle mass gain. The difference in serum testosterone is often cited as an explanation. However, studies examining relative muscle gain with resistance training have not been well established. The purpose of this study is to examine the relative muscle mass gain with resistance training between men and women. We examined lean mass gain in 201 men and women in three different studies. Subjects in these studies performed a standard progressive resistance training program for 10 or 12 weeks. Lean mass was measured before and after training. Both men and women in these 3 studies showed significant increases in muscle mass after resistance training. In the 18‐30 year old, 10 week study, men gained 2.9±0.4% (N=74) while women gained 2.6±0.5% (N=43, P=0.72). In the 60‐69 year old, 12 week study, men gained 1.9±0.6% (N=18) while women gained 1.9±0.5% (N=31, P=0.95). In the 50‐69 year old, 12 week study, men gained 3.6±0.8% (N=14) while women gained 4.0±0.6% (N=21, P=0.74). Across all studies percent change of lean mass did not show a significant difference between genders. These results suggest that lean mass gain with resistance training is more dependent of starting lean mass than gender.