Skip to main content
Log in

Effects of strength training and detraining on regional muscle in young and older men and women

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

To examine the effects of 9 weeks of strength training (ST) and 31 weeks of detraining on regional muscle area in young and older men and women, three regions of the quadriceps muscle area (proximal, middle, and distal) were measured via MRI in 11 men ages 20–30, 11 men ages 65–75, 10 women ages 20–30, and 11 women ages 65–75. These effects were assessed by determining the difference between the control limb and the trained limb (T-UT) at all three time points. This design provided control for possible influences of biological, methodological, seasonal variations, as well as influences due to attention or genetic differences that commonly occur between experimental and control groups. There were no significant differences in any of the three regions at any of the three time points, when comparing subjects by age. However, men had significantly greater T-UT CSA at the after ST time point [6.9 (3.7) cm2] when compared with women [2.8 (3.7) cm2, P < 0.05]. Baseline T-UT CSA was higher than after detraining T-UT CSA for young men in the proximal and middle regions [0.1 (3.6), 0.4 (3.6) cm2 vs. 2.8 (4.0), 2.4 (3.6) cm2, P < 0.05], but there were no significant differences within the other three groups. These data indicate that sex may influence changes in regional CSA after ST, whereas age does not influence regional muscle gain or loss due to ST or detraining.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akima H, Takahashi H, Kuno SY, Katsuta S (2004) Coactivation pattern in human quadriceps during isokinetic knee-extension by muscle functional MRI. Eur J Appl Physiol 91:7–14. doi:10.1007/s00421-003-0942-z

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alkner BA, Tesch PA, Berg HE (2000) Quadriceps EMG/force relationship in knee extension and leg press. Med Sci Sports Exerc 32:459–463. doi:10.1097/00005768-200002000-00030

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bamman MM, Hill VJ, Adams GR, Haddad F, Wetzstein CJ, Gower BA, Ahmed A, Hunter GR (2003) Gender differences in resistance-training-induced myofiber hypertrophy among older adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 58:108–116

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bassey EJ, Fiatarone MA, O’Neill EF, Kelly M, Evans WJ, Lipsitz LA (1992) Leg extensor power and functional performance in very old men and women. Clin Sci (Lond) 82:321–327

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brown AB, McCartney N, Sale DG (1990) Positive adaptations to weight-lifting training in the elderly. J Appl Physiol 69:1725–1733

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cumming DC, Wall SR, Galbraith MA, Belcastro AN (1987) Reproductive hormone responses to resistance exercise. Med Sci Sports Exerc 19:234–238. doi:10.1249/00005768-198706000-00009

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cureton KJ, Collins MA, Hill DW, McElhannon FM Jr (1988) Muscle hypertrophy in men and women. Med Sci Sports Exerc 20:338–344. doi:10.1249/00005768-198808000-00003

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Delmonico MJ, Kostek MC, Doldo NA, Hand BD, Walsh S, Conway JM, Carignan CR, Roth SM, Hurley BF (2007) Alpha-actinin-3 (ACTN3) R577X polymorphism influences knee extensor peak power response to strength training in older men and women. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 62:206–212

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fiatarone MA, Marks EC, Ryan ND, Meredith CN, Lipsitz LA, Evans WJ (1990) High-intensity strength training in nonagenarians. Effects on skeletal muscle. JAMA 263:3029–3034. doi:10.1001/jama.263.22.3029

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Goldspink G, Scutt A, Martindale J, Jaenicke T, Turay L, Gerlach GF (1991) Stretch and force generation induce rapid hypertrophy and myosin isoform gene switching in adult skeletal muscle. Biochem Soc Trans 19:368–373

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hakkinen K, Pakarinen A (1995) Acute hormonal responses to heavy resistance exercise in men and women at different ages. Int J Sports Med 16:507–513. doi:10.1055/s-2007-973045

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hakkinen K, Kallinen M, Izquierdo M, Jokelainen K, Lassila H, Malkia E, Kraemer WJ, Newton RU, Alen M (1998) Changes in agonist-antagonist EMG, muscle CSA, and force during strength training in middle-aged and older people. J Appl Physiol 84:1341–1349

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hakkinen K, Alen M, Kallinen M, Newton RU, Kraemer WJ (2000) Neuromuscular adaptation during prolonged strength training, detraining and re-strength-training in middle-aged and elderly people. Eur J Appl Physiol 83:51–62. doi:10.1007/s004210000248

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hakkinen K, Pakarinen A, Kraemer WJ, Hakkinen A, Valkeinen H, Alen M (2001) Selective muscle hypertrophy, changes in EMG and force, and serum hormones during strength training in older women. J Appl Physiol 91:569–580

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harridge SD, Kryger A, Stensgaard A (1999) Knee extensor strength, activation, and size in very elderly people following strength training. Muscle Nerve 22:831–839. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1097-4598(199907)22:7<831::AID-MUS4>3.0.CO;2-3

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Higbie EJ, Cureton KJ, Warren GL 3rd, Prior BM (1996) Effects of concentric and eccentric training on muscle strength, cross-sectional area, and neural activation. J Appl Physiol 81:2173–2181

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hikida RS, Walsh S, Barylski N, Campos G, Hagerman FC, Staron RS (1998) Is hypertrophy limited in elderly muscle fibers? A comparison of elderly and young strength-trained men. Basic Appl Myol 8:419–427

    Google Scholar 

  • Housh DJ, Housh TJ, Johnson GO, Chu WK (1992) Hypertrophic response to unilateral concentric isokinetic resistance training. J Appl Physiol 73:65–70

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ivey FM, Roth SM, Ferrell RE, Tracy BL, Lemmer JT, Hurlbut DE, Martel GF, Siegel EL, Fozard JL, Jeffrey Metter E, Fleg JL, Hurley BF (2000) Effects of age, gender, and myostatin genotype on the hypertrophic response to heavy resistance strength training. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 55:M641–M648

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Janssen I, Heymsfield SB, Wang ZM, Ross R (2000) Skeletal muscle mass and distribution in 468 men and women aged 18–88 yr. J Appl Physiol 89:81–88

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kadi F, Thornell LE (2000) Concomitant increases in myonuclear and satellite cell content in female trapezius muscle following strength training. Histochem Cell Biol 113:99–103. doi:10.1007/s004180050012

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kadi F, Schjerling P, Andersen LL, Charifi N, Madsen JL, Christensen LR, Andersen JL (2004) The effects of heavy resistance training and detraining on satellite cells in human skeletal muscles. J Physiol 558:1005–1012. doi:10.1113/jphysiol.2004.065904

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Katz S, Branch LG, Branson MH, Papsidero JA, Beck JC, Greer DS (1983) Active life expectancy. N Engl J Med 309:1218–1224

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kostek MC, Delmonico MJ, Reichel JB, Roth SM, Douglass L, Ferrell RE, Hurley BF (2005) Muscle strength response to strength training is influenced by insulin-like growth factor 1 genotype in older adults. J Appl Physiol 98:2147–2154. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00817.2004

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kraemer WJ, Ratamess NA (2005) Hormonal responses and adaptations to resistance exercise and training. Sports Med 35:339–361. doi:10.2165/00007256-200535040-00004

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lee M, Carroll TJ (2007) Cross education: possible mechanisms for the contralateral effects of unilateral resistance training. Sports Med 37:1–14. doi:10.2165/00007256-200737010-00001

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lemmer JT, Hurlbut DE, Martel GF, Tracy BL, Ivey FM, Metter EJ, Fozard JL, Fleg JL, Hurley BF (2000) Age and gender responses to strength training and detraining. Med Sci Sports Exerc 32:1505–1512. doi:10.1097/00005768-200008000-00021

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Narici MV, Roi GS, Landoni L (1988) Force of knee extensor and flexor muscles and cross-sectional area determined by nuclear magnetic resonance imaging. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 57:39–44. doi:10.1007/BF00691235

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Narici MV, Roi GS, Landoni L, Minetti AE, Cerretelli P (1989) Changes in force, cross-sectional area and neural activation during strength training and detraining of the human quadriceps. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 59:310–319. doi:10.1007/BF02388334

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Narici MV, Hoppeler H, Kayser B, Landoni L, Claassen H, Gavardi C, Conti M, Cerretelli P (1996) Human quadriceps cross-sectional area, torque and neural activation during 6 months strength training. Acta Physiol Scand 157:175–186. doi:10.1046/j.1365-201X.1996.483230000.x

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nindl BC, Kraemer WJ, Gotshalk LA, Marx JO, Volek JS, Bush FA, Hakkinen K, Newton RU, Fleck SJ (2001) Testosterone responses after resistance exercise in women: influence of regional fat distribution. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 11:451–465

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • O’Hagan FT, Sale DG, MacDougall JD, Garner SH (1995) Response to resistance training in young women and men. Int J Sports Med 16:314–321. doi:10.1055/s-2007-973012

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pincivero DM, Salfetnikov Y, Campy RM, Coelho AJ (2004) Angle- and gender-specific quadriceps femoris muscle recruitment and knee extensor torque. J Biomech 37:1689–1697. doi:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2004.02.005

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Riechman SE, Balasekaran G, Roth SM, Ferrell RE (2004) Association of interleukin-15 protein and interleukin-15 receptor genetic variation with resistance exercise training responses. J Appl Physiol 97:2214–2219. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00491.2004

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Roth SM, Ivey FM, Martel GF, Lemmer JT, Hurlbut DE, Siegel EL, Metter EJ, Fleg JL, Fozard JL, Kostek MC, Wernick DM, Hurley BF (2001) Muscle size responses to strength training in young and older men and women. J Am Geriatr Soc 49:1428–1433. doi:10.1046/j.1532-5415.2001.4911233.x

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sinha-Hikim I, Roth SM, Lee MI, Bhasin S (2003) Testosterone-induced muscle hypertrophy is associated with an increase in satellite cell number in healthy, young men. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 285:E197–E205

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tracy BL, Ivey FM, Hurlbut D, Martel GF, Lemmer JT, Siegel EL, Metter EJ, Fozard JL, Fleg JL, Hurley BF (1999) Muscle quality. II. Effects of strength training in 65- to 75-yr-old men and women. J Appl Physiol 86:195–201

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Verdijk LB, Koopman R, Schaart G, Meijer K, Savelberg HH, van Loon LJ (2007) Satellite cell content is specifically reduced in type II skeletal muscle fibers in the elderly. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 292:E151–E157. doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00278.2006

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weiss LW, Cureton KJ, Thompson FN (1983) Comparison of serum testosterone and androstenedione responses to weight lifting in men and women. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 50:413–419. doi:10.1007/BF00423247

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zabik RM, Dawson ML (1996) Comparison of force and peak EMG during a maximal voluntary isometric contraction at selected angles in the range of motion for knee extension. Percept Mot Skills 83:976–978

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors thank R. Pouliot for data analysis. This study was supported by the National Institute on Aging Research Contract 1-AG-4-2148.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jason A. Melnyk.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Melnyk, J.A., Rogers, M.A. & Hurley, B.F. Effects of strength training and detraining on regional muscle in young and older men and women. Eur J Appl Physiol 105, 929–938 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-008-0979-0

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-008-0979-0

Keywords

Navigation