Body composition and fitness during strength and/or endurance training in older men.
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.
Sillanpää
Elina
E
Department of Biology of Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland. elina.sillanpaa@sport.jyu.fi
Häkkinen
Arja
A
Nyman
Kai
K
Mattila
Mari
M
Cheng
Sulin
S
Karavirta
Laura
L
Laaksonen
David E
DE
Huuhka
Niina
N
Kraemer
William J
WJ
Häkkinen
Keijo
K
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