Lídia Mara Aguiar Bezerra

EFFECTS OF 24 WEEKS OF PROGRESSIVE RESISTANCE TRAINING ON KNEE EXTENSORS PEAK TORQUE AND FAT-FREE MASS IN OLDER WOMEN

Rabelo, HT, Bezerra, LA, Terra, DF, Lima, RM, Silva, MAF, Leite, TK, and de Oliveira, RJ. Effects of 24 weeks of progressive resistance training on knee extensors peak torque and fat-free mass in older women. J Strength Cond Res 25(8): 2298-2303, 2011—This study examined the effects of resistance training (RT) on knee extensor peak torque (KEPT) and fat-free mass (FFM) in older women. Seventy-eight volunteers (67.1 ± 5.9 years old) underwent 24 weeks of progressive RT (RTG) while 76 (67.4 ± 5.9 years old) were studied as controls (CG). Dominant knee extension peak torque was assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex System 3) and FFM measurements were performed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Muscle strength and FFM were evaluated before and after the intervention in all volunteers. Participants in the RTG trained major muscle groups 3 times per week during 24 weeks. Training load was kept at 60% of 1 repetition maximum in the first 4 weeks, 70% in the following 4 weeks, and 80% in the remaining 16 weeks, with repetitions, respectively, decreasing from 12, 10, and 8. A Split-plot analysis of variance was performed to examine between- and within-group differences, and the level of significance was accepted at p ≤ 0.05. It was observed that the RTG showed significant increases in KEPT (from 89.9 ± 21.8 to 102.8 ± 22.6 N·m; p < 0.05) and FFM (from 36.4 ± 4.0 to 37.1 ± 4.2 kg, p < 0.05). Appendicular FFM was also significantly increased after the intervention period in the RTG (13.9 ± 1.8 to 14.2 ± 1.9 kg, p < 0.05). None of these changes were observed for the CG. Consistent with the literature, it is concluded that a progressive RT program promotes not only increases in muscle strength, as evaluated by an isokinetic dynamometer, but also in FFM as evaluated by the DXA, in elderly women.

Treinamento de força versus hidroginástica: uma análise transversal comparativa da densidade mineral óssea em mulheres na pós-menopausa

INTRODUCTION: Many studies have shown that resistance training has a positive effect on bone mineral density (BMD). However, few studies have compared the BMD of individuals undergoing resistance training and those training aquatic weight-bearing exercises. OBJECTIVE: To compare, in a cross-sectional study, the BMD of postmenopausal women undergoing resistance training and postmenopausal women training aquatic weight-bearing exercises. METHODS: The sample comprised 63 women divided into the following three groups: resistance training (STRENGTH: n = 15; 51.4 ± 2.7 years); aquatic weight-bearing exercises (WA-TER: n = 22; 54.5 ± 3.3 years); and non-trained controls (CONTROL: n = 26; 52.0 ± 3.3 years). All volunteers were on hormone replacement therapy for at least one year. The STRENGTH and WATER groups were training for at least one year prior to study beginning (mean years of training - STRENGTH: 4.5 ± 2.0; WATER: 4.2 ± 2.2). RESULTS: The STRENGTH group had higher BMD of total body, femoral neck, lumbar spine L2-L4 as compared with the CONTROL group (all P < 0.05). The WATER group had higher BMD of total body, total hip, lumbar spine L2-L4 as compared with the CONTROL group (all P < 0.05). However, no difference was observed between the STRENGTH and WATER groups regarding the sites assessed. CONCLUSIONS: Those findings suggest that not only the resistance training, but also aquatic weight-bearing exercises might be a non-pharmacological strategy to prevent BMD loss in postmenopausal women.

Resistance training versus weight-bearing aquatic exercise: a cross-sectional analysis of bone mineral density in postmenopausal women

INTRODUCTION Many studies have shown that resistance training has a positive effect on bone mineral density (BMD). However, few studies have compared the BMD of individuals undergoing resistance training and those training aquatic weight-bearing exercises. OBJECTIVE To compare, in a cross-sectional study, the BMD of postmenopausal women undergoing resistance training and postmenopausal women training aquatic weight-bearing exercises. METHODS The sample comprised 63 women divided into the following three groups: resistance training (STRENGTH: n = 15; 51.4 ± 2.7 years); aquatic weight-bearing exercises (WA-TER: n = 22; 54.5 ± 3.3 years); and non-trained controls ( CONTROL n = 26; 52.0 ± 3.3 years). All volunteers were on hormone replacement therapy for at least one year. The STRENGTH and WATER groups were training for at least one year prior to study beginning (mean years of training - STRENGTH: 4.5 ± 2.0; WATER: 4.2 ± 2.2). RESULTS The STRENGTH group had higher BMD of total body, femoral neck, lumbar spine L2-L4 as compared with the CONTROL group (all P < 0.05). The WATER group had higher BMD of total body, total hip, lumbar spine L2-L4 as compared with the CONTROL group (all P < 0.05). However, no difference was observed between the STRENGTH and WATER groups regarding the sites assessed. CONCLUSIONS Those findings suggest that not only the resistance training, but also aquatic weight-bearing exercises might be a non-pharmacological strategy to prevent BMD loss in postmenopausal women.

Do 12-Week Yoga Program Influence Respiratory Function Of Elderly Women?

Abstract Aging produces several respiratory limitations and reduces tolerance to physical efforts, sometimes leading to pulmonary diseases in the elderly. The literature draws attention to the possible benefits of Yoga practice among the elderly, presenting evidence for significant improvements in quality of life. It was hypothesized that yoga practice can improve respiratory function in the elderly. The effects of a yoga program on pulmonary volumes and respiratory muscle strength were verified in 36 elderly women divided into a yoga group [YG] (63.1 ± 13.3 years of age) and a control group (61.0 ± 6.9 years of age). Maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure (MIP and MEP) were assessed by a manovacuometer and tidal volume (VT), vital capacity (VC) and minute ventilation (VE) were measured by a ventilometer. The program comprised 65 min sessions, 3 times/week during 12 weeks. The heart rate and respiratory rate decreased significantly in the YG (76-39 ± 8-03 vs. 74-61±10.26 bpm and 18.61 ± 3.15 vs. 16.72 ± 3.12 resp/min, respectively). In the YG, VT and VE increased significantly (0.55 ± 0.22 vs. 0.64 ± 0.2 ml and 9.19 ± 2.39 vs. 10.05 ± 2.11 ml, respectively), as well as VC (1.48 ± 0.45 vs. 2.03 ± 0.72 ml). Improvements were also found in MIP and MEP in the YG (62.17 ± 14.77 vs. 73.06 ± 20.16 cmH2O and 80.56 ± 23.94 vs. 86.39 ± 20.16 cmH2O, respectively). It was concluded that a 12-week yoga program significantly improves pulmonary function of aged women.

Estudo de associação entre força muscular e massa magra em mulheres idosas

O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar a associacao entre a forca muscular isocinetica da musculatura extensora do joelho do membro dominante com a MM de diferentes segmentos corporais, em mulheres idosas. Um total de 258 idosas (66,58±5,6anos; 65,6±11,7kg; 1,53±0,07m) foram submetidas a avaliacao isocinetica do pico de torque (PT) e da MM (DXA). Correlacoes de Pearson foram examinadas entre os indices de MM dos bracos, das pernas, do tronco, do corpo inteiro, da perna dominante (MMB, MMP, MMT, MMI, MMPD, respectivamente) com o PT. O nivel de significância foi de <0,05. Apos analise dos dados, foi observado que a MM apresentou correlacao positiva e significante com o PT. A correla- cao foi mais consistente a medida que a MM avaliada era mais proxima a musculatura da avaliacao (MMPD), (MMT= 0,31, MMB= 0,39, MMI= 0,52, MMP= 0,55, MMPD= 0,60). Com base nos resultados observados, concluimos que a MM e um dos importantes determinantes do PT em idosas.