Resistive training increases lean body mass and maintains resting
metabolic rate despite weight loss in post-menopausal women.
Ryan, Alice S, Richard E Pratley, Dariush Elahi, and Andrew P
Goldberg.
Division of Gerontology, Department of Medicine, University of
Maryland and Baltimore VA Medical Center Geriatrics, Research,
Education and Clinical Center, Baltimore, MD 21201
APStracts 2:0193A, 1995.
Percent body fat increases with age and is often accompanied by a loss
in muscle mass, strength and energy expenditure. The effects of 16
weeks of resistive training (RT) alone or with weight loss (RT&WL)
on strength (isokinetic dynamometer), body composition (dual-energy
x-ray absorptiometry), resting metabolic rate (RMR) (indirect
calorimetry) and sympathetic nervous system activity (catecholamines)
were examined in 15 post-menopausal women (50-69 years). Resistive
training resulted in significant improvements in upper and lower body
strength in both groups (P<0.01). The non-obese women in the RT
group (N=8) did not change their body weight or fat mass with
training. In the obese RT&WL group (N=7) body weight, fat mass,
and percent body fat was significantly decreased (P<0.001). Lean
body mass (LBM) and RMR significantly increased with training in both
groups combined (P<0.05). There were no significant changes in
resting arterialized plasma norepinephrine or epinephrine levels in
either group with training. RT increases strength with and without
weight loss. Furthermore, RT and RT&WL increase LBM and RMR and
decrease percent fat in post-menopausal women. Thus, RT may be a
valuable component of an integrated weight management program in
post-menopausal women.
Received 27 December 1994; accepted in final form 1 May 1995.
APS Manuscript Number A1335-4.
Article publication pending Journal of Applied Physiology.
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1995 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 9 May 1995.