title: Reduction in intra-abdominal adipose tissue after strength training in older women.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a total body strength-training program on changes in total and regional body composition, in particular intra-abdominal adipose tissue (IAAT), in older women. Fourteen healthy older women (mean age 67 +/- 1 yr) exercised 3 times/wk for 16 wk. Strength was assessed by one-repetition maximum tests, with training intensity gradually increased to approximately 67% of one repetition maximum. Body composition was measured by hydrodensitometry and regional body composition was measured by computed tomography. Strength was significantly increased in the upper (51%) and lower body (65%). There was no significant change in body weight (64.4 +/- 2.7 vs. 64.2 +/- 2.7 kg), total body fat (38.7 +/- 1.4 vs. 38.0 +/- 1.6%) or fat-free mass (39.7 +/- 1.0 vs. 40.0 +/- 0.9 kg). However, after ST, there were significant reductions in IAAT (143.9 +/- 13.3 vs. 130.0 +/- 12.4 cm2), the IAAT-to-subcutaneous adipose tissue ratio (0.48 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.44 +/- 0.04), and midthigh subcutaneous adipose tissue (141.7 +/- 11.5 vs. 133.6 +/- 10.8 cm2) and an increase in midthigh muscle (52.9 +/- 2.6 vs. 58.0 +/- 2.0 cm2) (all P < 0.05). In conclusion, significant reductions in IAAT and an increase in strength and muscle area were observed after a strength-training program in healthy older women. These changes may be important in preventing the negative health outcomes associated with the age-related increase in intra-abdominal obesity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition Science, University of Alabama at Birmingham 35294-3360, USA.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Treuth
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kekes-Szabo
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Weinsier
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Goran
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Berland
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000502:physiology*; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids