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• Resistance training improves body adiposity, metabolic risk, and inflammation in postmenopausal and older females. • High-volume resistance training elicits greater improvements in metabolic risk and inflammation outcomes. • We identified an optimal dosage for resistance training prescription in this population. This meta-analytical study aimed to explore the effects of resistance training (RT) volume on body adiposity, metabolic risk, and inflammation in postmenopausal and older females. A systematic search was performed for randomized controlled trials in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and SciELO. Randomized controlled trials with postmenopausal and older females that compared RT effects on body adiposity, metabolic risk, and inflammation with a control group (CG) were included. Independent reviewers selected the studies, extracted the data, and performed the risk of bias and certainty of the evidence (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE)) evaluations. Total body and abdominal adiposity, blood lipids, glucose, and C-reactive protein were included for meta-analysis. A random-effects model, standardized mean difference (Hedges' g), and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were used for meta-analysis. Twenty randomized controlled trials (overall risk of bias: some concerns; GRADE: low to very low) with overweight/obese postmenopausal and older females were included. RT groups were divided into low-volume RT (LVRT, ∼44 sets/week) and high-volume RT (HVRT, ∼77 sets/week). Both RT groups presented improved body adiposity, metabolic risk, and inflammation when compared to CG. However, HVRT demonstrated higher effect sizes than LVRT for glucose (HVRT = –1.19; 95%CI: –1.63 to –0.74; LVRT = –0.78; 95%CI:–1.15 to –0.41) and C-reactive protein (HVRT = –1.00; 95%CI: –1.32 to –0.67; LVRT = –0.34; 95%CI, –0.63 to –0.04)) when compared to CG. Compared to CG, HVRT protocols elicit greater improvements in metabolic risk and inflammation outcomes than LVRT in overweight/obese postmenopausal and older females. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Menopause increases body fat and decreases muscle mass and strength, which contribute to sarcopenia. The amount of appendicular muscle mass has been frequently used to diagnose sarcopenia. Different measures of appendicular muscle mass have been proposed. However, no studies have compared the most salient measure (appendicular muscle mass corrected by body fat) of the appendicular muscle mass to physical function in postmenopausal women.Objective: To examine the association of 3 different measurements of appendicular muscle mass (absolute, corrected by stature, and corrected by body fat) with physical function in postmenopausal women.Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study.Setting: Outpatient geriatric and gynecological clinic.Participants: Forty-eight postmenopausal women with a mean age (standard deviation [SD]) of 62.1 ± 8.2 years, with mean (SD) length of menopause of 15.7 ± 9.8 years and mean (SD) body fat of 43.6% ± 9.8%.Interventions: Not applicable.Main Outcome Measures: Appendicular muscle mass measure was measured with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Physical function was measured by a functional capacity questionnaire, a short physical performance battery, and a 6 minute-walk test. Muscle quality (leg extensor strength to lower-body mineral-free lean mass ratio) and sum of z scores (sum of each physical function tests z score) were performed to provide a global index of physical function.Results: The regression analysis showed that appendicular muscle mass corrected by body fat was the strongest predictor of physical function. Each increase in the standard deviation of appendicular muscle mass corrected by body fat was associated with a mean sum of z score increase of 59% (standard deviation), whereas each increase in absolute appendicular muscle mass and appendicular muscle mass corrected by stature were associated with a mean sum of z scores decrease of 23% and 36%, respectively. Muscle quality was associated with appendicular muscle mass corrected by body fat.Conclusion: These findings indicate that appendicular muscle mass corrected by body fat is a better predictor of physical function than the other measures of appendicular muscle mass in postmenopausal women.Level Of Evidence: I. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objective: This study evaluated the influence of sex on changes in cytokines, heat shock proteins (HSPs), and oxidative stress in response to a single bout of total body resistance exercise. Methods: Sixteen healthy volunteers (8 men and 8 women), active and recreationally trained in resistance exercise, were subjected to a single bout of total body resistance exercise (3 x 8-10 repetition maximum, 10 exercises, rests periods of 90-120 seconds). Serum creatine kinase (CK), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, HSP60, HSP70, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, and reduced glutathione were assessed at pre-protocol, and 1 hour, 4 hours, and 24 hours post-protocol. Results: Both men and women had a similar increase in CK (p < 0.05) activity at 24 hours post-exercise. Significant sex differences were observed for IL-6. In the men, an increase from baseline was noted at 1 hour for IL-6. In women, an increase from baseline was noted at 4 hours only for IL-6. There was a significant correlation between peak IL-6 blood level and CK level at 24 hours only in the women. No significant changes were observed in IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, HSP60, HSP70, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, and reduced glutathione. Conclusion: Acute total body resistance exercise altered circulating levels of IL-6 and sex differences existed in the temporal pattern and magnitude of this response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]