Effect of resistance and aerobic training on regional body composition in previously recreationally trained middle-aged women

Abstract

Twelve middle-aged women (mean age 41.9 +/- 1.6 y) performed variable-cam resistance training and aerobic training 3 times/week for 14 weeks. One repetition maximum (1 RM) significantly increased between pre-training and training week 7 (13.1%-17.8%), between training week 7 and post-training (10.8%-14.1%), and between pre-training and post-training (25.5%-30.9%). Total-body lean soft tissue and total % body fat determined by duel-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) significantly increased (2.2%) and decreased (1.4%), respectively. Arm, trunk, and total upper-body (arm + trunk) lean soft tissue significantly increased (0.7%-4.6%). Total body fat tissue and all regional measures of fat tissue and % fat showed no significant changes. Significant correlations were shown between pre-testing and post-testing 1 RM in the bench press, lat pull down, and overhead press in all instances, except for post-training bench press and total upper-body lean soft tissue (r = 0.58-0.90). In contrast, non-significant correlations were shown between pre- and post-testing 1 RM of the leg press, with the exception of pre-training and total lean soft tissue and pre-training and leg lean soft tissue. In conclusion, resistance training resulted in consistent strength gains in middle-aged women, which were accompanied by regional changes in upper-body composition, whereas lower-body composition moved in the hypothesized direction, but did not achieve significance.