Influence of combined resistance training and healthy diet on muscle mass in healthy elderly women: a randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effects of resistance training combined with a healthy diet (low n-6/n-3 ratio) on muscle mass and inflammatory markers, including arachidonic acid, in older women.
Results Summary
The study found a significant decrease in serum arachidonic acid levels (-5.3%) in the resistance training + healthy diet group, alongside increased n-3 docosahexaenoic acid, suggesting a shift in fatty acid metabolism. No changes in arachidonic acid were observed in the other groups.
Population
Healthy, physically active older women aged 65-70 with low baseline inflammatory markers.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
24 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
resistance training combined with a healthy dietary approach (n-6/n-3 ratio < 2) | decrease | n-6/n-3 ratio dietary intake | healthy and physically active older women (65-70 years) | 42% | significantly decreased | #1 |
resistance training | increase | 1 repetition maximum in leg extension | healthy and physically active older women (65-70 years) | 20.4% | increase | #2 |
resistance training combined with a healthy dietary approach (n-6/n-3 ratio < 2) | increase | 1 repetition maximum in leg extension | healthy and physically active older women (65-70 years) | 20.8% | increase | #3 |
resistance training combined with a healthy dietary approach (n-6/n-3 ratio < 2) | increase | leg lean mass | healthy and physically active older women (65-70 years) | 1.8% | significantly increased | #4 |
resistance training combined with a healthy dietary approach (n-6/n-3 ratio < 2) | no change | serum C-reactive protein levels | healthy and physically active older women (65-70 years) | no significant change | no changes | #5 |
resistance training combined with a healthy dietary approach (n-6/n-3 ratio < 2) | no change | serum IL-6 levels | healthy and physically active older women (65-70 years) | no significant change | no changes | #6 |
resistance training combined with a healthy dietary approach (n-6/n-3 ratio < 2) | decrease | serum level of the pro-inflammatory precursor arachidonic acid | healthy and physically active older women (65-70 years) | -5.3 ± 9.4% | significant decrease | #7 |
resistance training combined with a healthy dietary approach (n-6/n-3 ratio < 2) | increase | serum n-3 docosahexaenoic acid | healthy and physically active older women (65-70 years) | 8.3% | increase | #8 |
The delivery of efficient nonpharmacological treatment to prevent the loss of muscle mass in older adults is a major challenge, and information on the combined effects of training and diet is particularly important. Here we aimed to evaluate the effects of 24 wk of resistance training combined with a healthy dietary approach (n-6/n-3 ratio < 2) in a population of healthy and physically active older women (65-70 years). The three-armed randomized controlled trial included a resistance training + healthy diet group (RT-HD), a resistance training group (RT), and controls (CON). All subjects included in the study were physically active and had low levels of serum inflammatory markers. In accordance with the dietary goals, the n-6/n-3 ratio dietary intake significantly decreased only in RT-HD by 42%. An increase in 1 repetition maximum in leg extension occurred in RT (+20.4%) and RT-HD (+20.8%), but not in CON. Interestingly, leg lean mass significantly increased only in RT-HD (+1.8%). While there were no changes in serum C-reactive protein and IL-6 levels, a significant decrease in serum level of the pro-inflammatory precursor arachidonic acid (-5.3 ± 9.4%) together with an increase in serum n-3 docosahexaenoic acid (+8.3%) occurred only in RT-HD. Altogether, this study demonstrates that the effects of resistance training on muscle mass in healthy older adults can be optimized by the adoption of a healthy diet.