Strength training improves muscle aerobic capacity and glucose tolerance in elderly.
The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effect of short-term resistance training (RET) on mitochondrial protein content and glucose tolerance in elderly. Elderly women and men (age 71 ± 1, mean ± SEM) were assigned to a group performing 8 weeks of resistance training (RET, n = 12) or no training (CON, n = 9). The RET group increased in (i) knee extensor strength (concentric +11 ± 3%, eccentric +8 ± 3% and static +12 ± 3%), (ii) initial (0-30 ms) rate of force development (+52 ± 26%) and (iii) contents of proteins related to signaling of muscle protein synthesis (Akt +69 ± 20 and mammalian target of rapamycin +69 ± 32%). Muscle fiber type composition changed to a more oxidative profile in RET with increased amount of type IIa fibers (+26.9 ± 6.8%) and a trend for decreased amount of type IIx fibers (-16.4 ± 18.2%, P = 0.068). Mitochondrial proteins (OXPHOS complex II, IV, and citrate synthase) increased in RET by +30 ± 11%, +99 ± 31% and +29 ± 8%, respectively. RET resulted in improved oral glucose tolerance measured as reduced area under curve for glucose (-21 ± 26%) and reduced plasma glucose 2 h post-glucose intake (-14 ± 5%). In CON parameters were unchanged or impaired. In conclusion, short-term resistance training in elderly not only improves muscular strength, but results in robust increases in several parameters related to muscle aerobic capacity.
Åstrand Laboratory of Work Physiology, The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, GIH, Stockholm, Sweden.|Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Frank
Åstrand Laboratory of Work Physiology, The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, GIH, Stockholm, Sweden.|Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Andersson
Åstrand Laboratory of Work Physiology, The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, GIH, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Pontén
Åstrand Laboratory of Work Physiology, The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, GIH, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Ekblom
Åstrand Laboratory of Work Physiology, The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, GIH, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Ekblom
Åstrand Laboratory of Work Physiology, The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, GIH, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Sahlin
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D002950:Citrate (si)-Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D042963:Electron Transport Complex II / Q000378:metabolism; D014450:Electron Transport Complex III / Q000378:metabolism; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000378:metabolism; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D018485:Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D053580:Muscle Strength; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D010085:Oxidative Phosphorylation; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D055070:Resistance Training; D058570:TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D042963:Electron Transport Complex II; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV; D002950:Citrate (si)-Synthase; C546842:MTOR protein, human; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D058570:TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; D014450:Electron Transport Complex III
Exercise; insulin sensitivity; mTOR; mitochondria; resistance training