title: Body composition and fitness during strength and/or endurance training in older men.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined adaptations in body composition and physical fitness during a 21-wk strength and/or endurance training period in 40- to 65-yr-old men. We also compared the usefulness of different methods for the analysis of body composition to detect training-induced adaptations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-three men were randomized into the endurance training (E: N = 14), strength training (S: N = 13), combined strength and endurance training (SE: N = 15), or control (C: N = 11) groups. S and E trained 2 and SE 2 x 2 times a week for strength and endurance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Percentage of fat (fat%) decreased (5-8%) similarly in all training groups. Fat% measured by DXA at baseline and its change correlated with those recorded by bioimpedance (r = 0.90 and 0.66), skinfolds (r = 0.80 and 0.78), and waistline (r = 0.84 and 0.74). Lean mass in legs (DXA) increased only in S (2.0 +/- 1.5%, P < 0.001), but the thickness of vastus lateralis and intermedius measured by ultrasound increased (7-11%) in all training groups, and that of triceps brachii increased in S (22%) and SE (20%). Maximal concentric force increased significantly in S, SE, and E (by 22, 23, and 7%), and maximal oxygen uptake increased in both E (11%) and SE (11%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Waist circumference and skinfold thickness seem to reasonably assess changes in percent body fat during training. However, only DXA was capable to separate small differences between the groups in training-induced changes in lean body mass. Combined strength and endurance training is of greater value than either alone in optimizing body composition or improving physical fitness in older men.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology of Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland. elina.sillanpaa@sport.jyu.fi
authors.forename: Elina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sillanpää
authors.forename: Arja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Häkkinen
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nyman
authors.forename: Mari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mattila
authors.forename: Sulin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Karavirta
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Laaksonen
authors.forename: Niina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Huuhka
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Kraemer
authors.forename: Keijo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Häkkinen
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001823:Body Composition; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results