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Heavy‐resistance training in older Scandinavian men and women: short‐ and long‐term effects on arm and leg muscles
Author(s) -
Lexell J.,
Downham D. Y.,
Larsson Y.,
Bruhn E.,
Morsing B.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0838.1995.tb00055.x
Subject(s) - biceps , medicine , elbow flexion , resistance training , strength training , leg press , muscle strength , elbow , physical therapy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , anatomy
The short‐ and long‐term effects of heavy‐resistance training (85% of one‐repetition maximum (RM)) on elbow flexion and knee extension dynamic and isokinetic strength and on morphology in the biceps brachii and vastus lateralis muscles were evaluated during 1 year in 35 Scandinavian men and women, aged 70–77 years, 12 of whom formed a control group. After the first 11 weeks of training ( n =23; 3 times/week) elbow flexion and knee extension dynamic strength (1 RM) had increased [mean±SD] 49%±16 and 163%±75, respectively, with no significant difference between men and women. For the following 27 weeks, strength was maintained with one training session per week ( n =12) but dropped without training ( n =11). After the final 11 weeks of training ( n =11; 3 times/week), strength had further increased 32%±16 in both the arm and the leg. Isokinetic strength measurements (Cybex II; 30%s) revealed similar but smaller gains than for dynamic strength. Muscle biopsies ( n =20) taken at the start and after the first 11 weeks of training showed a significant increase in the area of both type 1 and type 2 fibers in the biceps brachii muscle and a positive significant correlation between the percentage increase in the proportional area of type 2 fibers in the vastus lateralis muscle and the percentage increase in knee extension dynamic muscle strength. In conclusion, older Scandinavian men and women have a high capacity both to improve and to maintain muscle strength, some of which is mediated through an adaptation in the muscle fiber type population.