6533b86ffe1ef96bd12cdf31
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Effects of strength and endurance training on muscle fibrecharacteristics in elderly women
Sarianna SipiläVuokko KovanenMarkku AlenHarri SuominenM. Elorinnesubject
Agingmedicine.medical_specialtyPhysiologyStrength trainingVastus lateralis muscleMuscle Fibers SkeletalPopulationMuscle hypertrophyAnimal scienceEndurance trainingmedicineHumansMuscle fibreeducationAgededucation.field_of_studybusiness.industryHypertrophyGeneral MedicineControl subjectsExercise TherapyMuscular AtrophyMuscle Fibers Slow-TwitchAgeingMuscle Fibers Fast-TwitchPhysical EndurancePhysical therapyFemalebusinessdescription
The effects of 18 weeks' intensive strength and endurance training on fibre characteristics of the vastus lateralis muscle were studied in 76- to 78-year-old women. Type I and type IIa fibres constituted over 90% of the cell population and were almost equally represented. No changes were observed in the proportions of the different fibre types. When comparing the baseline and the 18-week measurements within the groups, the strength group showed a mean increase of 34% (P = 0.028) in mean type I fibre area. The frequency histograms showed an increased proportion of larger type I fibres after strength training and a decreased proportion of smaller type IIa fibres after endurance training. In the control subjects, the proportion of smaller type I and type IIa fibres increased during the experimental period. The results indicate that intensive strength training induces type I fibre hypertrophy, whereas the effects of endurance training are less evident. The considerable variation found in the change in muscle fibre cross-sectional areas is also noteworthy.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997-11-05 | Clinical Physiology |