Effects of Resistance Training Program on Muscle Mass and Muscle Strength and the Relationship with Cognition in Older Women

Edgardo Molina-Sotomayor, Alexis Espinoza-Salinas, Giovanny Arenas-Sánchez, Francisco Pradas de la Fuente, Juan Antonio Leon-Prados and Jose Antonio Gonzalez-Jurado
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Edgardo Molina-Sotomayor: Departamento de Educación Física, Facultad de Artes y Educación Física, Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación, Centro Interuniversitario en Envejecimiento Saludable (CIES) Universidades del Estado de Chile, Santiago 8320000, Chile
Alexis Espinoza-Salinas: Escuela de Kinesiología, Universidad Santo Tomás, Santiago 8320000, Chile
Giovanny Arenas-Sánchez: Escuela de Kinesiología, Universidad Santo Tomás, Santiago 8320000, Chile
Francisco Pradas de la Fuente: Department of Musical, Plastic and Corporal Expression, Faculty of Human Sciences and Education, University of Zaragoza, 22003 Huesca, Spain
Juan Antonio Leon-Prados: Physical Performance and Sports Research Centre, University of Pablo de Olavide, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
Jose Antonio Gonzalez-Jurado: Physical Performance and Sports Research Centre, University of Pablo de Olavide, 41013 Sevilla, Spain

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 14, 1-15

Abstract: The aim of this study was to study the effects of a resistance training programme on Maximal Dynamic Strength (MDS) and muscle morphology of the upper limbs (UL) and lower limbs (LL), as well as to analyse their association with cognition, in a population of older women. The study had a duration of 24 months and a total of 93 Chilean older women participated. The participants were divided into two groups: the Physical Activity Group (PAG, n = 45, age (X ± SD) 77.93 ± 3.54 years), and the Sedentary Group (SG, n = 48, age (X ± SD) 77.71 ± 3.41 years). The PAG carried out a muscle strength training routine twice per week. The following variables were evaluated: muscle function through maximal dynamic strength (1RM), muscle morphology through arm and calf circumference (AC and CC, respectively), and cognition (Mini Mental State Examination: MMSE). The results show that the SG recorded significant decreases (percent changes; p < 0.05) in the analysed variables: MMSE (−3.5%), MDS in UL (−3.3%), MDS in LL (−4.1%), AC (−4.5%), CC (−4.1%), and BMI (−3.1%). However, the PAG improved significantly in all the analysed variables except in BMI: MMSE (3.9%), MDS in UL (3.6%), MDS in LL (3.5%), AC (1.8%), and CC (2.5%). Moreover, there was a significant association ( p < 0.05) between the changes in the muscle strength variables and the changes in cognition level. Therefore, it can be concluded that a two-year muscle strength training programme (load intensity between 30–55% 1RM) in older women improves Maximal Dynamic Strength in UL and LL, as well as muscle mass in arms and calves. Furthermore, it can be asserted that the changes in muscle strength levels could predict the changes in the levels of cognition in older women.

Keywords: aging; cognitive state; exercise; female; muscle function; physical activity; sedentary (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:14:p:7687-:d:591564

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