Melissa Antunes

Sarcopenia and physical independence in older adults: the independent and synergic role of muscle mass and muscle function

The loss of skeletal muscle mass (MM) or muscle function (MF) alone increases the risk for losing physical independence in older adults. We aimed to examine the independent and synergic associations of low MM and low MF, both criteria of sarcopenia, with the risk for losing projected physical independence in later life (+90 years old).

Resistance training in older women: Comparison of single vs. multiple sets on muscle strength and body composition

BACKGROUND: Studies are conflicting as to whether single-set resistance training (RT) are as effective as multi-set protocols with respect to promoting muscular adaptations. Several meta-analyses have shown that a clear dose-response relationship exists between RT volume and muscular adaptations. However, a majority of studies were not specific to older individuals, particularly women. OBJECTIVE: To determine changes in strength and body composition in elderly women following 1 vs. 3 sets of RT. METHODS: Thirty older women participated in a 12-week supervised total body RT program. Participants were randomly assigned to perform either 1 set (G1S) or 3 sets (G3S) per session. All other RT variables were held constant. Body composition was assessed by dual X-ray absorptiometry, muscle strength was evaluated by 1RM in chest press and knee extension. RESULTS: Increases in strength were significantly (p 0.05) differences were noted in body composition components between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that multiple set protocols are required to optimize strength gains in older women. Changes in body composition appear to be similar irrespective of training volume during the initial stages of RT.

Changes in phase angle and body composition induced by resistance training in older women

Background:Resistance training (RT) has selective effects on body composition that may counteract the deleterious effects of aging. Changes in phase angle (PhA) may serve to monitor the influence of RT in older people.Objectives:To describe the effect of RT in training, detraining and retraining on body composition, including PhA in older women.Subjects/methods:Thirty-three older women (⩾60 years old) participated. The RT program was carried out over 12 weeks for each stage (training, detraining and retraining). Whole-body fat-free mass and fat mass (FM) and appendicular lean soft tissue (ALST) measurements were carried out using a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Bioimpedance spectroscopy was used to estimate total body water (TBW), intra (ICF) and extracellular (ECF) fluids, whole-body resistance (R) and reactance (Xc) and PhA. Upper and lower body muscle strength were also assessed.Results:From baseline to after training muscle strength, ALST and PhA significantly (P<0.05) increased. In detraining, significant (P<0.05) reductions in muscle strength, TBW, ECF, ICF and PhA along with significant (P<0.05) increases in R were observed, with the greatest magnitude observed for PhA (Δ=−7.6%). From detraining to retraining a significant reduction in FM along with increases in Xc, PhA and muscle strength were observed. Although an increase was observed from detraining to retraining in PhA, the values were still lower than baseline PhA.Conclusions:In untrained older women, a RT is associated with increases in PhA, whereas detraining results in a marked decrease in PhA, and more time may be required in retraining to counteract the negative influence of absence of exercise stimulus.

Resistance training reduces metabolic syndrome and inflammatory markers in older women: a randomized controlled trial

This study analyzed the effects of a 12‐week resistance training (RT) program without dietary interventions on metabolic syndrome (MetS) components and inflammatory biomarkers in older women.

Effects of Whey Protein Supplementation Pre- or Post-Resistance Training on Muscle Mass, Muscular Strength, and Functional Capacity in Pre-Conditioned Older Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Aging is associated with sarcopenia and dynapenia, with both processes contributing to functional dependence and mortality in older adults. Resistance training (RT) and increased protein intake are strategies that may contribute to health improvements in older adults. Therefore, the aim was to investigate the effects of whey protein (WP) supplementation consumed either immediately pre- or post-RT on skeletal muscle mass (SMM), muscular strength, and functional capacity in pre-conditioned older women. Seventy older women participated in this investigation and were randomly assigned to one of three groups: whey protein pre-RT and placebo post-RT (WP-PLA, n = 24), placebo pre-RT and whey protein post-RT (PLA-WP, n = 23), and placebo pre- and post-RT (PLA-PLA, n = 23). Each group ingested 35 g of WP or PLA. The RT program was carried out over 12 weeks (three times per week; 3 × 8–12 repetition maximum). Body composition, muscular strength, functional capacity, and dietary intake were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Two-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) for repeated measures, with baseline scores as covariates were used for data analysis. A time vs. group interaction (p < 0.05) was observed with WP-PLA and PLA-WP presenting greater increases compared with PLA-PLA for SMM (WP-PLA = 3.4%; PLA-WP = 4.2%; PLA-PLA = 2.0%), strength (WP-PLA = 8.1%; PLA-WP = 8.3%; PLA-PLA = 7.0%), and the 10-m walk test (WP-PLA = −10.8%; PLA-WP = −11.8%; PLA-PLA = −4.3%). Whey protein supplementation was effective in promoting increases in SMM, muscular strength, and functional capacity in pre-conditioned older women, regardless of supplementation timing. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03247192.

Improvement of cellular health indicators and muscle quality in older women with different resistance training volumes

ABSTRACT The main purpose of this study was to compare the effects of resistance training (RT) performed with different training volumes on phase angle (PhA), body water components, and muscle quality (MQ) in untrained older adult women. A second purpose was to assess the relationship between PhA and MQ. Sixty-two older adult women (68.6 ± 5.0 years, 65.2 ± 13.3 kg, 156.1 ± 6.2 cm) were randomly assigned into one of the three groups: two training groups performed either 1 set (G1S) or 3 sets (G3S), or a control group (CG). Body water components and PhA were estimated by bioelectrical impedance (BIA). MQ was determined by dividing skeletal muscle mass estimated by dual-energy absorptiometry (DXA) by total muscle strength from three exercises. After the intervention period, both training groups demonstrated improvements (P < 0.05) when compared with CON for intracellular water, total body water, PhA, and MQ. These results suggest that RT can improve PhA, body water components, and MQ after 12 weeks of RT in untrained older women, regardless of training volume. Furthermore, changes in MQ were positively correlated with changes in PhA (r = 0.60, P < 0.01).

Correlations between resistance training-induced changes on phase angle and biochemical markers in older women

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 12 weeks of resistance training (RT) on phase angle (PhA), inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers, and to evaluate whether these RT‐induced adaptations are related to PhA changes. Fifty‐one older women (70.6 ± 5.1 years; 26.9 ± 4.2 kg/m2) were randomly allocated into a training group (TG) that performed 12‐week RT or a nonexercising control group (CG). The PhA (Xitron), body composition (DXA), and blood sample measurements (after a 12 hours fast) were performed before and after the intervention. The TG showed a significant (P < .05) increase in PhA (TG: +7.4±5.9% vs CG: −3.6 ± 8.8%), and interleukin‐10 (IL‐10; TG: +51.8 ± 71.1% vs CG: −46.6 ± 38.0%), and a decrease in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α; TG: −15.2 ± 11.1% vs CG: +6.9±17.7%), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6; TG: −17.9 ± 17.8% vs CG: +6.1 ± 24.8%), and C‐reactive protein (CRP; TG: −24.1 ± 19.9% vs CG: +43.8 ± 31.1%). Moreover, TG upregulated catalase (TG: +11.4 ± 15.0% vs CG: −6.7 ± 10.2%). Changes in TNF‐α (r = −.71), CRP (r = −.65), lower advanced oxidation protein products (r = −.55), and catalase (r = +.73) after RT were correlated with changes in PhA (P < .05). These results suggest that RT improves PhA, inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers, and the changes in inflammatory and oxidative damage markers are correlated with changes in PhA.

Phase angle is related with inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in older women

Background The aim of this study was to examine the relation between phase angle (PhA) and inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in older women. Methods One hundred and fifty‐five physically independent older women participated in this study (67.7 ± 5.7 years, 27.0 ± 4.4 kg/m2). Inflammatory markers included interleukin 6 (IL‐6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐&agr;), and acute phase reactive protein (CRP). Oxidative stress biomarkers comprised superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), and total radical‐trapping antioxidant potential (TRAP). A spectral bioelectrical impedance device was used to estimate resistance (R) and reactance (Xc) at frequency 50 kHz, and subsequently PhA was calculated as arc‐tangent (Xc / R) × 180° / &pgr;. The covariates appendicular lean soft‐tissue (ALST), trunk fat mass, and total body fat were determined by whole‐body dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Linear regression analysis was conducted to further test if PhA is related with the dependent variables, after adjusting for potential covariates. Results After controlling for the potential covariates (age, trunk fat mass, ALST, and number of diseases) PhA exhibited a significant inverse relation with IL‐6 (&bgr; = −0.97; P < 0.01), TNF‐&agr; (&bgr; = −0.84; P < 0.01), and CRP (&bgr; = −0.58; P < 0.01). Conversely, PhA was significantly related to CAT (&bgr; = 7.27; P < 0.01), SOD (&bgr; = 10.55; P < 0.01) and TRAP (&bgr; = 73.08; P < 0.01). The AOPP did not demonstrate a significant correlation with PhA (P > 0.05). Conclusion Our findings show that PhA is a simple and relevant explanatory variable which is related inflammatory and stress oxidative markers in physically independent older women, regardless of age, number of diseases, and body composition. HighlightsPhase Angle is inversely related to inflammatory biomarkers (IL‐6, TNF‐&agr;, and CRP) in older women.Phase Angle is positively related to antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) and the total radical‐trapping antioxidant (TRAP)Phase Angle could be a useful tool to predict inflammatory and stress oxidative markers in older women.

Regular and moderate aerobic training before allergic asthma induction reduces lung inflammation and remodeling

Experimental studies have reported that aerobic exercise after asthma induction reduces lung inflammation and remodeling. Nevertheless, no experimental study has analyzed whether regular/moderate aerobic training before the induction of allergic asthma may prevent these inflammatory and remodeling processes. For this purpose, BALB/c mice (n = 96) were assigned into non‐trained and trained groups. Trained animals ran on a motorized treadmill at moderate intensity, 30 min/day, 3 times/week, for 8 weeks, and were further randomized into subgroups to undergo ovalbumin sensitization and challenge or receive saline using the same protocol. Aerobic training continued until the last challenge. Twenty‐four hours after challenge, compared to non‐trained animals, trained mice exhibited: (a) increased systolic output and left ventricular mass on echocardiography; (b) improved lung mechanics; (c) decreased smooth muscle actin expression and collagen fiber content in airways and lung parenchyma; (d) decreased transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and blood; (e) increased interferon (IFN)‐γ in BALF and interleukin (IL)‐10 in blood; and (f) decreased IL‐4 and IL‐13 in BALF. In conclusion, regular/moderate aerobic training prior to allergic asthma induction reduced inflammation and remodeling, perhaps through increased IL‐10 and IFN‐γ in tandem with decreased Th2 cytokines.

Effects of Modified Pyramid System on Muscular Strength and Hypertrophy in Older Women

This study aimed to analyze the effects of a pyramid system performed with two repetition zones on muscular strength and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) in older women. Thirty-nine physically independent older women (67.8±5.4 years) were randomly assigned into one of two of groups that performed an 8-week resistance training program in an ascending pyramid fashion. Both groups performed 3 sets: a narrow repetition zone (NPR, n=20) with 12/10/8 repetitions, and a wide repetition zone (WPR, n=19) with 15/10/5 repetitions. The program consisted of 8 whole-body exercises, performed 3 times a week. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure SMM, and muscular strength was evaluated by one-repetition maximum (1RM). Both groups increased (P<0.05) SMM (NPR=+ 4.7%, effect size=+ 0.34; WPR=+ 8.4%, effect size=+ 0.77), and total strength (NPR=+ 11.3%, effect size=+ 0.80; WPR=+ 13.8%, effect size=0.84), without statistical differences between them. Results suggest that both zones of repetitions in a pyramid system are effective strategies to improve muscular strength and muscle growth in older women.