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Heavy resistance training at retirement age induces lasting beneficial effects

Objectives Muscle function and size decline with age, but long-term effects of resistance training in older adults are largely unknown. Here, we explored the long-lasting (3 years) effects of 1 year of supervised resistance training with heavy loads. Methods The LIve active Successful Ageing (LISA) study was a parallel group randomised controlled trial at a university hospital in Denmark. Older adults (n=451) at retirement age were randomised to 1 year of heavy resistance training (HRT), moderate-intensity training (MIT) or a non-exercising control group (CON). Primary outcome measure was leg extensor power. Secondary outcomes included maximal isometric quadriceps torque (isometric leg strength) and body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)). Participants completed test procedures at baseline, following the 1-year intervention, and 2 and 4 years post study start. Results At the 4-year assessment, 369 participants attended (mean age=71 years, 61% women). The main finding was that across all four time points, there was a significant group×time interaction in isometric leg strength (F6,1049=8.607, p<0.001, ![Formula][1]</img>=0.05). Individuals in HRT maintained baseline performance in isometric leg strength (Baseline: 149.7±51.5 Nm, 4 years: 151.5±51.1 Nm, t(1050)=1.005, p=1.00) while participants in CON and MIT decreased. Conclusion In well-functioning older adults at retirement age, 1 year of HRT may induce long-lasting beneficial effects by preserving muscle function. Trial registration number [NCT02123641][2]. [1]: /embed/mml-math-1.gif [2]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=CLINTRIALGOV&access_num=NCT02123641&atom=%2Fbmjosem%2F10%2F2%2Fe001899.atom

Two-way mixed-model analyses of variance (ANOVAs), adjusted for age and sex, were used to test group×time interaction effects on strength (power, isometric leg strength and handgrip), and on body composition (lean body mass, lean leg mass, CSA of m. vastus lateralis, fat percentage and visceral fat content) including all four available time points. It is somewhat surprising that there was no muscular effect of the moderate training at year 4, as the intervention improved both lean mass and function in MIT, although to a lesser extent than HRT. In conclusion, we showed that in a group of well-functioning older adults around retirement age, 1 year of HRT may induce long-lasting beneficial effects by preserving muscle function.

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