Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of resistance training on muscular strength and indicators of abdominal adiposity, metabolic risk, and inflammation in postmenopausal women: controlled and randomized clinical trial of efficacy of training volume

  • Published:
AGE Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of resistance training (RT) volume on muscular strength and on indicators of abdominal adiposity, metabolic risk, and inflammation in post-menopausal women (PW). Thirty-two volunteers were randomly allocated into the following three groups: control (CT, no exercise, n = 11), low-volume RT (LV, three sets/exercise, n = 10), and high-volume RT (HV, six sets/exercise, n = 11). The LV and HV groups performed eight exercises at 70 % of one maximal repetition, three times a week, for 16 weeks. Muscular strength and indicators of abdominal adiposity, metabolic risk, and inflammation were measured at baseline and after 16 weeks. No differences were found in baseline measures between the groups. The PW showed excess weight and fat percentage (F%), large waist circumference (WC), high waist-hip ratio (WHR), and hypercholesterolemia and borderline values of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c%). Following the RT, a similar increase in muscle strength and reduction in F% from baseline were found in both trained groups. In HV, a decrease in total cholesterol, LDL-c, WC, and WHR was noted. Moreover, the HV showed a lower change (delta%) of interleukin-6 (IL-6) when compared to CT (HV = 11.2 %, P 25–75 = −7.6–28.4 % vs. CT = 99.55 %, P 25–75 = 18.5–377.0 %, p = 0.049). In LV, a decrease was noted for HbA1c%. There were positive correlations (delta%) between WHR and IL-6 and between IL-6 and TC. These results suggest that while a low-volume RT improves HbA1c%, F%, and muscular strength, a high-volume RT is necessary to improve indicators of abdominal adiposity and lipid metabolism and also prevent IL-6 increases in PW.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahtiainen JP et al. (2015) Exercise type and volume alter signaling pathways regulating skeletal muscle glucose uptake and protein synthesis. Eur J Appl Physiol 115:1835–1845. doi:10.1007/s00421-015-3155-3

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alex S, Ribeiro BJS, Fábio L, Pina C, Souza MF, Matheus A, Nascimento, dos Santos L, Antunes M, Cyrino ES (2015) Resistance training in older women: comparison of single vs. multiple sets on muscle strength and body composition. Isokinet Exerc Sci 23:53–60. doi:10.3233/IES-140564

    Google Scholar 

  • American College of Sports M (2009) American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Progression models in resistance training for healthy adults. Medicine and science in sports and exercise 41:687–708. doi:10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181915670

    Google Scholar 

  • American College of Sports M et al (2009) American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Exercise and physical activity for older adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc 41:1510–1530. doi:10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181a0c95c

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Braun AP, Schulman H (1995) The multifunctional calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase: from form to function. Annu Rev Physiol 57:417–445. doi:10.1146/annurev.ph.57.030195.002221

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bray GA, Ryan DH (2000) Clinical evaluation of the overweight patient. Endocrine 13:167–186. doi:10.1385/ENDO:13:2:167

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brochu M et al. (2009) Resistance training does not contribute to improving the metabolic profile after a 6-month weight loss program in overweight and obese postmenopausal women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 94:3226–3233. doi:10.1210/jc.2008-2706

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Collaboration PS (2007) Blood cholesterol and vascular mortality by age, sex, and blood pressure: a meta-analysis of individual data from 61 prospective studies with 55,000 vascular deaths. Lancet 370:1829–1839

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Combes A, Dekerle J, Webborn N, Watt P, Bougault V, Daussin FN (2015) Exercise-induced metabolic fluctuations influence AMPK, p38-MAPK and CaMKII phosphorylation in human skeletal muscle. Physiological reports 3 doi:10.14814/phy2.12462

  • Coppack SW (2001) Pro-inflammatory cytokines and adipose tissue. Proc Nutr Soc 60:349–356

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Davidson LE et al. (2009) Effects of exercise modality on insulin resistance and functional limitation in older adults: a randomized controlled trial. Arch Intern Med 169:122–131. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2008.558

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • de Salles BF, Simao R, Fleck SJ, Dias I, Kraemer-Aguiar LG, Bouskela E (2010) Effects of resistance training on cytokines. Int J Sports Med 31:441–450. doi:10.1055/s-0030-1251994

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Donges CE, Duffield R, Drinkwater EJ (2010) Effects of resistance or aerobic exercise training on interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, and body composition. Med Sci Sports Exerc 42:304–313. doi:10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181b117ca00005768-201002000-00012

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Durnin JVGA, Womersley JVGA (1974) Body fat assessed from total body density and its estimation from skinfold thickness: measurements on 481 men and women aged from 16 to 72 years. Br J Nutr 32(1):77–97

  • Eguchi Y et al. (2012) Prevalence and associated metabolic factors of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in the general population from 2009 to 2010 in Japan: a multicenter large retrospective study. J Gastroenterol 47:586–595

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Feingold KR, Hardardottir I, Memon R, Krul E, Moser A, Taylor J, Grunfeld C (1993) Effect of endotoxin on cholesterol biosynthesis and distribution in serum lipoproteins in Syrian hamsters. J Lipid Res 34:2147–2158

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ferrucci L et al. (2002) Change in muscle strength explains accelerated decline of physical function in older women with high interleukin-6 serum levels. J Am Geriatr Soc 50:1947–1954

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fried SK, Bunkin DA, Greenberg AS (1998) Omental and subcutaneous adipose tissues of obese subjects release interleukin-6: depot difference and regulation by glucocorticoid. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 83:847–850. doi:10.1210/jcem.83.3.4660

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Friedenreich CM et al. (2015) Effects of a high vs moderate volume of aerobic exercise on adiposity outcomes in postmenopausal women: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA. Oncology 1:766–776

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Friedewald WT, Levy RI, Fredrickson DS (1972) Estimation of the concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in plasma, without use of the preparative ultracentrifuge. Clin Chem 18:499–502

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fritz CO, Morris PE, Richler JJ (2012) Effect size estimates: current use, calculations, and interpretation. J Exp Psychol Gen 141:2–18. doi:10.1037/a0024338

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gallucci M et al. (2007) Associations of the plasma interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels with disability and mortality in the elderly in the Treviso Longeva (Trelong) study. Archives of gerontology and geriatrics 44. Suppl 1:193–198. doi:10.1016/j.archger.2007.01.026

    Google Scholar 

  • Galvao DA, Taaffe DR (2005) Resistance exercise dosage in older adults: single-versus multiset effects on physical performance and body composition. J Am Geriatr Soc 53:2090–2097

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Garber CE et al. (2011) American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Quantity and quality of exercise for developing and maintaining cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, and neuromotor fitness in apparently healthy adults: guidance for prescribing exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 43:1334–1359. doi:10.1249/MSS.0b013e318213fefb00005768-201107000-00026

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Geffken DF, Cushman M, Burke GL, Polak JF, Sakkinen PA, Tracy RP (2001) Association between physical activity and markers of inflammation in a healthy elderly population. Am J Epidemiol 153:242–250

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gonzalez-Badillo JJ, Gorostiaga EM, Arellano R, Izquierdo M (2005) Moderate resistance training volume produces more favorable strength gains than high or low volumes during a short-term training cycle. J Strength Cond Res Natl Strength Cond Assoc 19:689–697. doi:10.1519/R-15574.1

    Google Scholar 

  • Gonzalez-Badillo JJ, Izquierdo M, Gorostiaga EM (2006) Moderate volume of high relative training intensity produces greater strength gains compared with low and high volumes in competitive weightlifters. J Strength Cond Res Natl Strength Cond Assoc 20:73–81. doi:10.1519/R-16284.1

    Google Scholar 

  • Haddock BL, Wilkin LD (2006) Resistance training volume and post exercise energy expenditure. Int J Sports Med 27:143–148. doi:10.1055/s-2005-865601

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hartz A, He T, Rimm A (2012) Comparison of adiposity measures as risk factors in postmenopausal women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 97:227–233. doi:10.1210/jc.2011-1151

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Henagan TM, Phillips MD, Cheek DJ, Kirk KM, Barbee JJ, Stewart LK (2011) The melanocortin 3 receptor: a novel mediator of exercise-induced inflammation reduction in postmenopausal women? J Aging Res 2011:512593. doi:10.4061/2011/512593

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Jamurtas AZ et al. (2013) A single bout of downhill running transiently increases HOMA-IR without altering adipokine response in healthy adult women. Eur J Appl Physiol 113:2925–2932. doi:10.1007/s00421-013-2717-5

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kamel EG, McNeill G, Van Wijk MC (2000) Change in intra-abdominal adipose tissue volume during weight loss in obese men and women: correlation between magnetic resonance imaging and anthropometric measurements. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 24:607–613

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kamel HK, Maas D, Duthie EH. (2002) Role of hormones in the pathogenesis and management of sarcopenia. Drugs Aging 19:865–877

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kasapis C, Thompson PD (2005) The effects of physical activity on serum C-reactive protein and inflammatory markers: a systematic review. J Am Coll Cardiol 45:1563–1569. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2004.12.077

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kelley DE (2005) Skeletal muscle fat oxidation: timing and flexibility are everything. J Clin Investig 115:1699

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Krishnan K et al. (2013) Associations between weight in early adulthood, change in weight, and breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women. Cancer Epidemiol Biomark Prev 22:1409–1416. doi:10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-13-0136

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee JS, Kim CG, Seo TB, Kim HG, Yoon SJ (2015) Effects of 8-week combined training on body composition, isokinetic strength, and cardiovascular disease risk factors in older women. Aging Clin Exp Res 27:179–186. doi:10.1007/s40520-014-0257-4

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Legrand D, Vaes B, Mathei C, Adriaensen W, Van Pottelbergh G, Degryse JM (2014) Muscle strength and physical performance as predictors of mortality, hospitalization, and disability in the oldest old. J Am Geriatr Soc. doi:10.1111/jgs.12840

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lera Orsatti F, Nahas EA, Maesta N, Nahas Neto J, Lera Orsatti C, Vannucchi Portari G, Burini RC (2014) Effects of resistance training frequency on body composition and metabolics and inflammatory markers in overweight postmenopausal women. J Sports Med Physical fitness 54:317–325

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maesta N, Nahas EA, Nahas-Neto J, Orsatti FL, Fernandes CE, Traiman P, Burini RC (2007) Effects of soy protein and resistance exercise on body composition and blood lipids in postmenopausal women. Maturitas 56:350–358. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2006.10.001

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Martin-Hernandez J, Marin PJ, Menendez H, Ferrero C, Loenneke JP, Herrero AJ (2013) Muscular adaptations after two different volumes of blood flow-restricted training. Scand J Med Sci Sports 23:e114–e120. doi:10.1111/sms.12036

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Matthews KA, Meilahn E, Kuller LH, Kelsey SF, Caggiula AW, Wing RR (1989) Menopause and risk factors for coronary heart disease. New Engl J Med 321:641–646

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Memon RA, Grunfeld C, Moser AH, Feingold KR (1993) Tumor necrosis factor mediates the effects of endotoxin on cholesterol and triglyceride metabolism in mice. Endocrinology 132:2246–2253

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nimmo MA, Leggate M, Viana JL, King JA (2013) The effect of physical activity on mediators of inflammation Diabetes Obes Metab 15. Suppl 3:51–60. doi:10.1111/dom.12156

    Google Scholar 

  • Organization WH (2009) Global health risks: mortality and burden of disease attributable to selected major risks. World Health Organization

  • Orsatti FL, Nahas EA, Nahas-Neto J, Maesta N, Orsatti CL, Fernandes CE (2010a) Effects of resistance training and soy isoflavone on body composition in postmenopausal women. Obstet Gynecol Int 2010:156037. doi:10.1155/2010/156037

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Orsatti FL, Nahas EA, Nahas-Neto J, Maesta N, Orsatti CL, Vespoli Hde L, Traiman P (2010b) Association between anthropometric indicators of body fat and metabolic risk markers in post-menopausal women. Gynecol Endocrinol Off J Int Soc Gynecol Endocrinol 26:16–22. doi:10.3109/09513590903184076

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ortiz O, Russell M, Daley TL, Baumgartner RN, Waki M, Lichtman S, Wang J, Pierson RN Jr, Heymsfield SB (1992) Differences in skeletal muscle and bone mineral mass between black and white females and their relevance to estimates of body composition. Am J Clin Nutr 55(1):8–13

  • Pare A et al. (2001) Is the relationship between adipose tissue and waist girth altered by weight loss in obese men? Obes Res 9:526–534. doi:10.1038/oby.2001.69

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Payette H, Roubenoff R, Jacques PF, Dinarello CA, Wilson PW, Abad LW, Harris T (2003) Insulin-like growth factor-1 and interleukin 6 predict sarcopenia in very old community-living men and women: the Framingham Heart Study. J Am Geriatr Soc 51:1237–1243

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Petersen AM, Pedersen BK (2005) The anti-inflammatory effect of exercise. J Appl Physiol 98:1154–1162. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00164.2004

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Petri Nahas EA, Padoani NP, Nahas-Neto J, Orsatti FL, Tardivo AP, Dias R (2009) Metabolic syndrome and its associated risk factors in Brazilian postmenopausal women. Climacteric: the journal of the International Menopause. Society 12:431–438. doi:10.1080/13697130902718168

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pfeilschifter J, Koditz R, Pfohl M, Schatz H (2002) Changes in proinflammatory cytokine activity after menopause. Endocr Rev 23:90–119

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips MD, Patrizi RM, Cheek DJ, Wooten JS, Barbee JJ, Mitchell JB (2012) Resistance training reduces subclinical inflammation in obese, postmenopausal women. Med Sci Sports Exerc 44:2099–2110. doi:10.1249/MSS.0b013e3182644984

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips WT, Ziuraitis JR (2004) Energy cost of single-set resistance training in older adults. J Strength Cond Res Natl Strength Cond Assoc 18:606–609. doi:10.1519/1533-4287(2004)18<606:ECOSRT>2.0.CO;2

    Google Scholar 

  • Pischon T, Hankinson SE, Hotamisligil GS, Rifai N, Rimm EB (2003) Leisure-time physical activity and reduced plasma levels of obesity-related inflammatory markers. Obes Res 11:1055–1064. doi:10.1038/oby.2003.145

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Radaelli R et al. (2014) Time course of low-and high-volume strength training on neuromuscular adaptations and muscle quality in older women. Age 36:881–892

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Rankinen T, Kim SY, Perusse L, Despres JP, Bouchard C (1999) The prediction of abdominal visceral fat level from body composition and anthropometry: ROC analysis. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 23:801–809

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rantanen T (2003) Muscle strength, disability and mortality. Scand J Med Sci Sports 13:3–8

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ross R, Rissanen J, Hudson R (1996) Sensitivity associated with the identification of visceral adipose tissue levels using waist circumference in men and women: effects of weight loss. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 20:533–538

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roth SM, Martel GF, Ivey FM, Lemmer JT, Metter EJ, Hurley BF, Rogers MA (2000) High-volume, heavy-resistance strength training and muscle damage in young and older women. J Appl Physiol 88(3):1112–1118

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schulz KF, Altman DG, Moher D (2010) CONSORT 2010 statement: updated guidelines for reporting parallel group randomised trials. BMJ 340:c332. doi:10.1136/bmj.c332

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Senechal M, Bouchard DR, Dionne IJ, Brochu M (2012) The effects of lifestyle interventions in dynapenic-obese postmenopausal women. Menopause 19:1015–1021. doi:10.1097/gme.0b013e318248f50f

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sigal RJ et al. (2007) Effects of aerobic training, resistance training, or both on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med 147:357–369

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sirola J, Rikkonen T (2005) Muscle performance after the menopause. J Br Menopause Soc 11:45–50

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Slentz CA et al. (2011) Effects of aerobic vs. resistance training on visceral and liver fat stores, liver enzymes, and insulin resistance by HOMA in overweight adults from STRRIDE AT/RT American journal of physiology. Endocrinol Metab 301:E1033–E1039. doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00291.2011

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson FE, Byers T (1994) Dietary assessment resource manual. J Nutr 124:2245s–2317s

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Toth MJ, Tchernof A, Sites CK, Poehlman ET (2000) Effect of menopausal status on body composition and abdominal fat distribution. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 24:226–231

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Willey KA, Singh MA (2003) Battling insulin resistance in elderly obese people with type 2 diabetes: bring on the heavy weights. Diabetes Care 26:1580–1588

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wisloff U et al. (2005) Cardiovascular risk factors emerge after artificial selection for low aerobic capacity. Science 307:418–420. doi:10.1126/science.1108177

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang C, Rexrode KM, van Dam RM, Li TY, Hu FB (2008) Abdominal obesity and the risk of all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality: sixteen years of follow-up in US women. Circulation 117:1658–1667. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.739714

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank Camila Botelho Miguel and Luanna Margato for assisting us with the subjects. This investigation was supported by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do estado de Minas Gerais–FAPEMIG, by Fundação de Ensino e Pesquisa de Uberaba–FUNEPU, and by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior–CAPES.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Postgraduate Course of Physical Education, Exercise Biology Laboratory (BioEx), Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM), Avenue Tutunas, 490, Uberaba, MG, Brazil

    Paulo Ricardo Prado Nunes, Larissa Corrêa Barcelos, Anselmo Alves Oliveira, Roberto Furlanetto Júnior, Fernanda Maria Martins, Cláudio Lera Orsatti, Elisabete Aparecida Mantovani Rodrigues Resende & Fábio Lera Orsatti

  2. Department of Sport Sciences, Health Science Institute, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Fábio Lera Orsatti

Authors
  1. Paulo Ricardo Prado Nunes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Larissa Corrêa Barcelos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Anselmo Alves Oliveira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Roberto Furlanetto Júnior
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Fernanda Maria Martins
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Cláudio Lera Orsatti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Elisabete Aparecida Mantovani Rodrigues Resende
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Fábio Lera Orsatti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Paulo Ricardo Prado Nunes.

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Nunes, P.R.P., Barcelos, L.C., Oliveira, A.A. et al. Effect of resistance training on muscular strength and indicators of abdominal adiposity, metabolic risk, and inflammation in postmenopausal women: controlled and randomized clinical trial of efficacy of training volume. AGE 38, 40 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-016-9901-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-016-9901-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation