The Effects of Twelve Weeks of Combined Resistance and Aerobic Training on Arm Lean Mass in Post-Menopausal, Obese Women

Authors

Jacob O'Connor, Texas Christian UniversityFollow
Andreas Kreutzer, Texas Christian UniversityFollow
Michael M. Levitt, Texas Christian UniversityFollow
Maria A. Cardenas, Texas Christian UniversityFollow
Carmen Cook, Texas Christian UniversityFollow
Emily Souder, Texas Christian UniversityFollow
Kaci Orr, Texas Christian UniversityFollow
Stephanie Huber, Texas Christian UniversityFollow
Gail Teagle, Texas Christian UniversityFollow
Kirby Thames, Texas Christian UniversityFollow
Elise Erickson, Texas Christian UniversityFollow
Emma Wichman, Texas Christian UniversityFollow
Melody D. Phillips, Texas Christian UniversityFollow

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Sarcopenia, a loss in muscle mass as a result of aging, is an independent risk factor for disability and is significantly associated with self-reported physical disability in both men and women. Strength training reverses the loss of, or maintains muscle mass in individuals as they age. PURPOSE: To examine the potential change in lean muscle mass of the arms in response to a 12-week combination strength and aerobic exercise training intervention in post-menopausal (55-75 years), obese women. METHODS: Forty-one women were randomly assigned to either an exercise (EX, n=22 ) or education (ED, n=19) group. For twelve weeks (12 WT), the EX group participated in resistance and aerobic training three days per week. Participants performed 2 sets of the following 8 resistance exercises at 8-12 RM: “lat” pulldown, chest press, seated row, leg press, leg extension, leg curl, hip adduction, and hip abduction. The first set consisted of 8 repetitions, while the second set was to failure. The participants then walked on a treadmill at 75 - 85% heart rate reserve for 30 min. The ED group participated in education sessions twice per week and were restricted from exercise. Lean muscle mass of the arms was measured before (BT) and after (AT) 12 WT via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Strength was measured using eight repetition maximum (8RM) on chest press BT and AT. VO2max was estimated using a treadmill exercise bout where participants exercised to 85% of their heart rate reserve (BT & AT). RESULTS: There was a group x training interaction for left arm lean mass (EX BT: 2.24 ± 0.086, EX AT: 2.38 ± 0.092; ED BT: 2.11 ± 0.092, ED AT: 2.12 ± 0.100 kg, p=0.018) and total arm lean mass (EX BT: 4.54 ± 0.164, EX AT: 4.76 ± 0.177; ED BT: 4.379 ± 0.177, ED AT: 4.30 ± 0.191 kg, p=0.048). We observed a group x training interaction for VO₂ max (EX BT: 21.1 ± 0.82, EX AT: 23.8 ± 0.80; ED BT: 19.9 ± 0.88, ED AT: 20.1 ± 0.86 ml·kg^-1·min^-1 p=0.006) and chest press 8RM (EX BT: 28.1 ± 1.16, EX AT: 38.9 ± 1.53; ED BT: 25.10 ± 1.4, ED AT: 23.9 ± 0.1.9 kg, pCONCLUSION: An increase in lean mass of the arms, strength, and aerobic fitness can be associated with a decrease in disability. The results of this study provide further evidence that strength training can be used as an intervention to combat age related sarcopenia. Furthermore, the training intervention utilized in this study can serve a population who does not normally meet the physical activity guidelines outlined by the American College of Sports Medicine in order to increase arm lean mass, VO2 max, and strength.

Recommended Citation

O'Connor, Jacob; Kreutzer, Andreas; Levitt, Michael M.; Cardenas, Maria A.; Cook, Carmen; Souder, Emily; Orr, Kaci; Huber, Stephanie; Teagle, Gail; Thames, Kirby; Erickson, Elise; Wichman, Emma; and Phillips, Melody D. (2019) "The Effects of Twelve Weeks of Combined Resistance and Aerobic Training on Arm Lean Mass in Post-Menopausal, Obese Women," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2: Iss. 11, Article 97.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss11/97