Effects of strength and endurance training on metabolic risk factors in healthy 40–65-year-old men

This study compared 21 weeks of combined high-intensity strength and endurance training with endurance or strength training only on metabolic risk factors in 40-65-year-old men. The healthy men (n=63) were randomized into endurance (E), strength (S), combined strength and endurance training (SE) and control (C) groups. S and E trained two times a week and SE 2+2 times a week. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly both in E (-6+/-8 and -4+/-6 mmHg) and in S (-9+/-8 and -5+/-7 mmHg), but not in SE or C (P=0.003 for the difference in the changes of SBP between the groups). The changes in serum glucose and insulin during an oral glucose tolerance test did not diffe…