Effects of Resistance Training Combined with Vitamin D Supplementation on Health-Related Variables in the Elderly: Muscle Strength, Body Composition, and Inflammatory Status

Lorena Cristina Ribeiro da Rosa, Paulo de Tarso Veras Farinatti, Maria Izabel Ferreira Batista, Hilene Ribeiro Santiago Navarro Machado (), Vitor Hugo Silva de Jesus, Weslen do Nascimento Dantas, Patrícia Maria Lourenço Dutra and Nádia Souza Lima da Silva
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Lorena Cristina Ribeiro da Rosa: Department of Individual Sports, Institute of Physical Education and Sports, Postraduate Program in Exercise and Sport Science, Maracanã Campus, State University of Rio de Janeiro., Rio de Janeiro 20550-013, Brazil
Paulo de Tarso Veras Farinatti: Department of Individual Sports, Institute of Physical Education and Sports, Postraduate Program in Exercise and Sport Science, Maracanã Campus, State University of Rio de Janeiro., Rio de Janeiro 20550-013, Brazil
Maria Izabel Ferreira Batista: Department of Individual Sports, Institute of Physical Education and Sports, Postraduate Program in Exercise and Sport Science, Maracanã Campus, State University of Rio de Janeiro., Rio de Janeiro 20550-013, Brazil
Hilene Ribeiro Santiago Navarro Machado: Department of Individual Sports, Institute of Physical Education and Sports, Postraduate Program in Exercise and Sport Science, Maracanã Campus, State University of Rio de Janeiro., Rio de Janeiro 20550-013, Brazil
Vitor Hugo Silva de Jesus: Department of Individual Sports, Institute of Physical Education and Sports, Postraduate Program in Exercise and Sport Science, Maracanã Campus, State University of Rio de Janeiro., Rio de Janeiro 20550-013, Brazil
Weslen do Nascimento Dantas: Department of Individual Sports, Institute of Physical Education and Sports, Postraduate Program in Exercise and Sport Science, Maracanã Campus, State University of Rio de Janeiro., Rio de Janeiro 20550-013, Brazil
Patrícia Maria Lourenço Dutra: Department of Individual Sports, Institute of Physical Education and Sports, Postraduate Program in Exercise and Sport Science, Maracanã Campus, State University of Rio de Janeiro., Rio de Janeiro 20550-013, Brazil
Nádia Souza Lima da Silva: Department of Individual Sports, Institute of Physical Education and Sports, Postraduate Program in Exercise and Sport Science, Maracanã Campus, State University of Rio de Janeiro., Rio de Janeiro 20550-013, Brazil

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 11, 1-16

Abstract: Aging is associated with changes in body composition that lead to low-grade chronic inflammation, compromising the health of the elderly. This condition can be mitigated by resistance training (RT) and vitamin D supplementation, promoting the health of this population. This study aimed to investigate the effects of 12 weeks of RT combined with vitamin D supplementation on body composition, muscle strength, and inflammatory status in older adults. A total of 26 participants were randomly assigned to an Experimental Group (EG: n = 12; 11 Female; 70.6 ± 4.7 years; RT + 2000 IU/day of vitamin D) and a Control Group (EG: n = 14; 11 Female; 69.6 ± 4.6 years; RT + placebo). Both groups performed the same RT program (8 exercises; 2 sets; 10 RM, twice per week). Before and after the intervention, participants were assessed using DEXA, strength tests (sit-to-stand test and handgrip strength), and serum biomarkers (IL-6, TNF-α, 25(OH)D). Both groups showed significant strength gains, particularly in the lower limbs ( p < 0.05 for all tests and groups), with no between-group differences in body composition or inflammatory markers ( p > 0.05 for all tests and groups). A time × group interaction was observed for IL-6 ( p = 0.03), with a slight reduction in the EG and an increase in the CG, although post-intervention differences were not statistically significant ( p = 0.49). No statistically significant between-group difference in 25(OH)D change ( p = 0.11). These findings suggest that vitamin D supplementation at the tested dose did not enhance adaptations to resistance training in older adults with normal baseline vitamin D levels. Further studies are warranted to explore potential benefits in deficient populations and with alternative dosing strategies.

Keywords: aging; health promotion; strength training; older adults; body composition; Inflammatory markers; IL-6; TNF-α (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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