title: The effects of high- and moderate-resistance training on muscle function in the elderly.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a 12-week resistance-training program on muscle strength and mass in older adults. Thirty-three inactive participants (60-74 years old) were assigned to 1 of 3 groups: high-resistance training (HT), moderate-resistance training (MT), and control. After the training period, both HT and MT significantly increased 1-RM body strength, the peak torque of knee extensors and flexors, and the midthigh cross-sectional area of the total muscle. In addition, both HT and MT significantly decreased the abdominal circumference. HT was more effective in increasing 1-RM strength, muscle mass, and peak knee-flexor torque than was MT. These data suggest that muscle strength and mass can be improved in the elderly with both high- and moderate-intensity resistance training, but high-resistance training can lead to greater strength gains and hypertrophy than can moderate-resistance training.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Physical Education and Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, PC 69100, Komotini, Greece.
authors.forename: Vasilios I
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Kalapotharakos
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Michalopoulou
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Godolias
authors.forename: Savvas P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Tokmakidis
authors.forename: Paraskevi V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Malliou
authors.forename: Vasilios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gourgoulis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001823:Body Composition; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*