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Introduction: Preparation methods are often used to improve performance (e.g., number of repetitions) within the resistance training session. However, there is still no consensus in the scientific literature on whether there is a superior preparation method for improving performance, particularly in older adults. Methods: We compared the effects of preparation by specific warm-up (SW), static stretching (SS), and control condition (CC) on the total number of repetitions in four exercises: leg extension, triceps pushdown, seated leg curl, and preacher curl. Fifty-seven older women (≥ 60 years) performed the experimental protocols (SW and SS) and the CC in a cross-over and counterbalanced design. Following the preparation protocol, the main exercises were performed in two sets until volitional concentric failure, with a two-minute rest interval between sets and 2–3 min between exercises. The main outcome was the total number of repetitions. Results: The SS improved performance compared to the SW and the CC in the leg extension and seated leg curl resistance exercises. In contrast, the SW impaired performance compared to the SS and CC in the triceps pushdown and preacher curl exercises. Conclusion: Our results suggest that SS may improve performance in lower-limb exercises, while the SW appears to negatively affect performance in upper-limb exercises in resistance-trained older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The optimal intensity of resistance training (RT) to improve muscular, physical performance, and metabolic adaptations still needs to be well established for older adults. Based on current position statements, we compared the effects of two different RT loads on muscular strength, functional performance, skeletal muscle mass, hydration status, and metabolic biomarkers in older women. Methods: One hundred one older women were randomly allocated to perform a 12-wk whole-body RT program (eight exercises, three sets, three nonconsecutive days a week) into two groups: 8-12 repetitions maximum (RM) and 10-15RM. Muscular strength (1RM tests), physical performance (motor tests), skeletal muscle mass (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), hydration status (bioelectrical impedance), and metabolic biomarkers (glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-c, HDL-c, triglycerides, and C-reactive protein) were measured at baseline and posttraining. Results: Regarding muscular strength, 8-12RM promoted higher 1RM increases in chest press (+23.2% vs +10.7%, P < 0.01) and preacher curl (+15.7% vs +7.4%, P < 0.01), but not in leg extension (+14.9% vs +12.3%, P > 0.05). Both groups improved functional performance (P <0.05) in gait speed (4.6%-5.6%), 30 s chair stand (4.6%-5.9%), and 6 min walking (6.7%-7.0%) tests, with no between-group differences (P > 0.05). The 10-15RM group elicited superior improves in the hydration status (total body water, intracellular and extracellular water; P < 0.01), and higher gains of skeletal muscle mass (2.5% vs 6.3%, P < 0.01), upper (3.9% vs 9.0%, P < 0.01) and lower limbs lean soft tissue (2.1% vs 5.4%, P < 0.01). Both groups improved their metabolic profile. However, 10-15RM elicited greater glucose reductions (-0.2% vs -4.9%, P < 0.05) and greater HDL-c increases (-0.2% vs +4.7%, P < 0.01), with no between-group differences for the other metabolic bio-markers (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Our results suggest that 8-2RM seems more effective than 10-15RM for increasing upper limbs' muscular strength, whereas the adaptative responses for lower limbs and functional performance appear similar in older women. In contrast, 10-15RM seems more effective for skeletal muscle mass gains, and increased intracellular hydration and improvements in metabolic profile may accompany this adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of protein intake beyond habitual intakes associated with resistance training on metabolic syndrome (MetS)-related parameters, isokinetic strength, and body composition in health older women. A total of 30 older women (68.8 ± 4.3 years) participated in this investigation and were assigned to receive 35 g of whey protein or placebo combined with resistance training, over 12-weeks, three times per week. Blood samples, blood pressure, dietary intake, strength, and body composition were assessed before and after the intervention period. Two-way analysis of variance for repeated measures was applied for comparisons. Both groups improved the skeletal muscle mass, muscular strength, waist circumference, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, glucose, resistance, reactance, and MetS Z-score risk. However, the improvements in skeletal muscle mass, waist circumference, and MetS Z-score risk were significantly greater in protein group when compared with control group. Moreover, protein group significantly decreased %body fat when compared with control group. Higher protein intake combined with resistance training promoted greater improvements in skeletal muscle mass, %body fat, waist circumference, and MetS Z-score risk in older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this study was to compare the effects of resistance training (RT) performed two versus three times per week on phase angle (a cellular health indicator) in older women. A total of 39 women (69.1 ± 5.5 years) were randomly assigned to perform a RT program two (G2X) or three (G3X) days per week for 12 weeks. The RT was a whole-body program (eight exercises, one set, 10–15 repetitions). Phase angle, resistance, reactance, and total body water were assessed by bioimpedance spectroscopy. Intracellular water, reactance, and phase angle increased significantly in G2X (2.1%, 3.0%, and 5.6%, respectively) and G3X (5.0%, 6.9%, and 10.3%, respectively) from pretraining to posttraining, with no significant difference between groups. Bioimpedance resistance decreased similarly in both groups (G2X = −1.7% vs. G3X = −3.2%). We conclude that a single set RT program with a frequency of 2 days per week may be sufficient to promote an improvement in cellular health in older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared the magnitude of strength and muscle mass changes in response to resistance training (RT) between stronger older women and their weaker counterparts. Older women (n = 207) were grouped into tertiles according to their baseline muscular strength index. The upper and lower tertiles participants were categorized as stronger (STR, n = 69) and weaker (WKR, n = 69), respectively. Both groups engaged in a 12-week whole-body RT program. Outcomes included one-repetition maximum (1RM) tests in the three lifts and assessment of segmental lean soft tissue (LST) and skeletal muscle mass (SMM). The 1RM increase was similar between groups for the chest press [between-groups effect size of the differences (ESdiff) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.10 (95%CI: −0.52, 0.31), P = 0.617] and preacher curl [ESdiff = 0.08 (95%CI: −0.48, 0.32), P = 0.681]. Changes were greater in WKR than STR for 1RM leg extension [ESdiff = −0.45 (95%CI: −0.86, −0.04), P = 0.030]. The increases of segmental LST and SMM were similar between-groups (ESdiff contains zero, P ≥ 0.434). We conclude that stronger and weaker older women benefit similarly for muscle mass and upper-limb strength gains. Notably, weaker older women may experience greater lower-limbs strength gains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of three resistance exercise orders on muscular strength, body composition, and functional fitness in trained older women. Forty-five women (aged ≥60 years), after performing 12 weeks of a pre-conditioning resistance-training program were randomly assigned in one of the following groups that performed the exercises in the following orders: multi-joint to single-joint order (MJ-SJ, n=15), single-joint to multi-joint order (SJ-MJ, n=15), and alternating between upper and lower body order (ALT, n=15). Specific training intervention lasted 12 weeks (3x/week) and was composed of eight exercises performed in three sets of 15/10/5 repetitions, with increasing load through the sets. Muscular strength was estimated by one-repetition maximum tests; body composition was assessed by whole-body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and functional fitness was analyzed with a sequence of four motor tests. All groups improved similarly in muscular strength (Cohen's effect size: MJ-SJ=0.45; SJ-MJ=0.48; ALT=0.45), skeletal muscle mass (MJ-SJ=0.08; SJ-MJ=0.07; ALT=0.09), and functional test performance (MJ-SJ=0.38; SJ-MJ=0.20; ALT=0.31), but no change was observed for body fat (P >0.05). The results suggest that 12 weeks of resistance training induce positive changes in muscle morphofunctionality, regardless of the exercise order employed in trained older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this study was to compare the effects of resistance training (RT) performed with different training volumes on phase angle (PhA), body water components, and muscle quality (MQ) in untrained older adult women. A second purpose was to assess the relationship between PhA and MQ. Sixty-two older adult women (68.6 ± 5.0 years, 65.2 ± 13.3 kg, 156.1 ± 6.2 cm) were randomly assigned into one of the three groups: two training groups performed either 1 set (G1S) or 3 sets (G3S), or a control group (CG). Body water components and PhA were estimated by bioelectrical impedance (BIA). MQ was determined by dividing skeletal muscle mass estimated by dual-energy absorptiometry (DXA) by total muscle strength from three exercises. After the intervention period, both training groups demonstrated improvements (P < 0.05) when compared with CON for intracellular water, total body water, PhA, and MQ. These results suggest that RT can improve PhA, body water components, and MQ after 12 weeks of RT in untrained older women, regardless of training volume. Furthermore, changes in MQ were positively correlated with changes in PhA (r = 0.60, P < 0.01). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to analyze the effects of a pyramid system performed with two repetition zones on muscular strength and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) in older women. Thirty-nine physically independent older women (67.8 ± 5.4 years) were randomly assigned into one of two of groups that performed an 8-week resistance training program in an ascending pyramid fashion. Both groups performed 3 sets: a narrow repetition zone (NPR, n = 20) with 12/10/8 repetitions, and a wide repetition zone (WPR, n = 19) with 15/10/5 repetitions. The program consisted of 8 whole-body exercises, performed 3 times a week. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure SMM, and muscular strength was evaluated by one-repetition maximum (1RM). Both groups increased (P < 0.05) SMM (NPR = + 4.7 %, effect size = + 0.34; WPR = + 8.4 %, effect size = + 0.77), and total strength (NPR = + 11.3 %, effect size = + 0.80; WPR = + 13.8 %, effect size = 0.84), without statistical differences between them. Results suggest that both zones of repetitions in a pyramid system are effective strategies to improve muscular strength and muscle growth in older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of resistance training (RT) performed in a pyramid (PR) vs. constant (CT) load system on muscular strength and hypertrophy in resistance-trained older women. Thirty-three older women (69.7 ± 5.9 years, 69.1 ± 15.0 kg, 156.6 ± 6.2 cm, and 28.1 ± 5.4 kg⋅m-2) were randomized into 2 groups: one that performed RT with a CT load (n = 16) and another group that performed RT in an ascending PR fashion (n = 17). Outcomes included 1 repetition maximum (RM) tests and assessment of skeletal muscle mass estimated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The study lasted 32 weeks, with 24 weeks dedicated to preconditioning and 8 weeks for the actual experiment. The RT program was conducted 3 d⋅wk-1; the CT consisted of 3 sets of 8-12RM with same load across sets, whereas the PR consisted of 3 sets of 12/10/8RM with incremental loads for each set. A significant (p ≤ 0.05) change from pretraining to posttraining was observed for chest press total strength (CT: pre = 122.8 ± 21.0 kg, post = 128.9 ± 21.4 kg, effect size [ES] = 0.28; PR: pre = 120.5 ± 22.8 kg, post = 125.8 ± 22.9 kg, ES = 0.24) and muscle mass (CT: pre = 21.4 ± 3.6 kg, post = 21.7 ± 3.5 kg, ES = 0.09; PR: pre = 20.9 ± 3.4 kg, post = 21.1 ± 3.4 kg, ES = 0.06) without differences between groups. Results suggest that both systems are effective to improve strength and muscle growth, but PR is not superior to CT for inducing improvements in previously trained older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aging is associated with sarcopenia and dynapenia, with both processes contributing to functional dependence and mortality in older adults. Resistance training (RT) and increased protein intake are strategies that may contribute to health improvements in older adults. Therefore, the aim was to investigate the effects of whey protein (WP) supplementation consumed either immediately pre- or post-RT on skeletal muscle mass (SMM), muscular strength, and functional capacity in pre-conditioned older women. Seventy older women participated in this investigation and were randomly assigned to one of three groups: whey protein pre-RT and placebo post-RT (WP-PLA, n = 24), placebo pre-RT and whey protein post-RT (PLA-WP, n = 23), and placebo pre- and post-RT (PLA-PLA, n = 23). Each group ingested 35 g of WP or PLA. The RT program was carried out over 12 weeks (three times per week; 3 × 8–12 repetition maximum). Body composition, muscular strength, functional capacity, and dietary intake were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Two-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) for repeated measures, with baseline scores as covariates were used for data analysis. A time vs. group interaction (p < 0.05) was observed with WP-PLA and PLA-WP presenting greater increases compared with PLA-PLA for SMM (WP-PLA = 3.4%; PLA-WP = 4.2%; PLA-PLA = 2.0%), strength (WP-PLA = 8.1%; PLA-WP = 8.3%; PLA-PLA = 7.0%), and the 10-m walk test (WP-PLA = −10.8%; PLA-WP = −11.8%; PLA-PLA = −4.3%). Whey protein supplementation was effective in promoting increases in SMM, muscular strength, and functional capacity in pre-conditioned older women, regardless of supplementation timing. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03247192. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Whey protein supplementation, independent of timing, increases intra cellular water and lean soft tissue. • Whey protein supplementation reduces intra and extracellular water ratio. • Resistance training increases phase angle. Abstract Aim The purpose of study was to analyze the effects of a combined whey protein (WP) and RT intervention on cellular health in pre-conditioned older women. Methods The protocol is a randomized controlled clinical trial with a sample of seventy older women, divided into 3 groups: WP-placebo (WP-PLA, n = 24), placebo-WP (PLA-WP, n = 23), and placebo-placebo (PLA-PLA, n = 23). Each group drank 35 g of product (placebo or WP) pre- and post- training. The RT program was carried out over 12 weeks (3x/week; 3 × 8–12 repetitions maximum). Total body water (TBW), intra (ICW) and extracellular (ECW) water, resistance (R), reactance (Xc), and phase angle (PhA) assessed by bioimpedance spectroscopy. Lean soft tissue (LST) was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry; and food consumption was assessed by means of the average of two 24-hour recalls. ANCOVA for repeated measures was applied for comparisons, with baseline scores used as covariates. Results A group by time interaction (P < 0.05) was observed for LST, ICW and the ECW/ICW ratio. There was a time effect (P < 0.05) for TBW, Xc, and PhA. A reduction (P <0.05) in R was found only in the WP-PLA and PLA-WP groups. Conclusion Whey protein supplementation (pre- or post-) combined with RT promoted an increase in ICW and LST, and also a reduction in ECW/ICW ratio in pre-conditioned older women. Regardless of the supplementation intake, the RT regimen improved PhA in older adult women. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03247192. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of higher protein (HP) intake associated with resistance training (RT) on parameters of cardiometabolic risk disease (CMR). Methods A randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled design was conducted. Thirty-two pre-conditioned older women were randomized in two groups to receive 35 g of protein (high protein group - HP) or 35 g of placebo (low protein group - LP) after training sessions. The RT program was carried out over 12 weeks, 3 days per week and 3 sets of 8–12 repetitions. Body composition (whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), blood samples, anthropometric measurements and dietary intake were performed at pre- and post-intervention. Results There was a significant group-by-time interaction ( P  < 0.05) for lean soft tissue (LST), total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein ratio (TC/HDL) and volume of load (VL), in which HP group presented greater improvements when compared to LP group (LST: +3.8% vs +2.0%; TC/HDL: −11.8% vs −2.9%; VL: 45.4% vs 35.4%). A time effect was found for HDL, LDL, Triglycerides (TGC), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein/HDL ratio (LDL/HDL) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (HDL: +6.7% vs +6.3%; LDL: −6.8% vs +0.9%; TGC: −2.0% vs −1.2%; TC: −2.8% vs +0.5%; LDL/HDL: −11.5 vs −6.9%; CRP: −8.6% vs −11.5%) in which both groups improved their scores without statistical differences between them. No effect was found for waist circumference. Conclusion Increased dietary protein intake, achieved by whey protein supplementation, when associated with RT promotes greater gains on LST and VL, and a reduction on TC/HDL ratio in pre-conditioned older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]