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Effects of resistance training on body recomposition, muscular strength, and phase angle in older women with different fat mass levels

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Abstract

Aims

The concomitant increase in skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and decrease in fat mass has been termed body recomposition. This study aimed to analyze the influence of pre-training levels of fat mass on body recomposition, muscular strength, and (phase angle) PhA after 24 weeks of resistance training (RT) in older women.

Methods

Data from 99 older women (68.6 ± 5.7 years, 65.7 ± 8.6 kg, 155.1 ± 5.8 cm, 27.2 ± 3.1 kg/m2) was retrospectively analyzed. Participants were separated into tertiles according to the amount of fat mass at baseline as follows: low fat mass (L-FM, n = 33), moderate fat mass (M-FM, n = 33), and high fat mass (H-FM, n = 33). The participants underwent a RT program consisting of eight exercises, three sets per exercise, with a load between 8 and 15 RM, performed three times per week for 24 weeks. The SMM and fat mass were evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Body recomposition was determined by the composite Z-score of changes in SMM and fat mass. One repetition maximum (1RM) tests in chest press, knee extension, and preacher curl were assessed to verify muscular strength. Bioimpedance was used to determine phase angle.

Results

Results indicated that after the RT period, a greater positive body recomposition was observed in the L-FM group than in M-FM and H-FM groups. Moreover, all groups increased muscular strength and phase angle with no significant difference among groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

The present study results suggest that the initial amount of fat mass influences the body recomposition induced by RT in older women, with those with lower pre-training fat mass levels presenting higher levels of body recomposition. However, improvements in muscular strength and phase angle are not dependent on the amount of initial fat mass in older women.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank all subjects for their engagement in the study, the Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES/ Brazil) for the scholarship conferred to W. K. (master), and the National Council of Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq/Brazil) for the grants conceded to E. S. C. This work was partially supported by the Ministry of Education (MEC/Brazil) and CNPq/Brazil.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University Pitágoras UNOPAR, Londrina, PR, Brazil

    Alex S. Ribeiro & Anderson V. Oliveira

  2. Metabolism, Nutrition, and Exercise Laboratory, Physical Education and Sport Center, State University of Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia, Km 380, 86057-970, Londrina, PR, Brazil

    Witalo Kassiano & Edilson S. Cyrino

  3. Department of Physical Education, Paraná State University, Unespar, Paranavaí, PR, Brazil

    Matheus A. Nascimento

  4. Department of Exercise Science, Truman State University, Kirksville, USA

    Jerry L. Mayhew

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  1. Alex S. Ribeiro
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  2. Anderson V. Oliveira
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Correspondence to Witalo Kassiano.

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The investigation was performed according to principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the local University Ethics Committee.

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Ribeiro, A.S., Oliveira, A.V., Kassiano, W. et al. Effects of resistance training on body recomposition, muscular strength, and phase angle in older women with different fat mass levels. Aging Clin Exp Res 35, 303–310 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-022-02313-7

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