close
LOGINYou are viewing 1 of your 1 free articles. For unlimited access take a risk-free trial
Strength training
Strength conditioning & flexibilityby Andrew Hamilton
Strength training reveals strange sex bias
Strength training reveals strange sex bias
A new US study of the effects of strength training on inactive men and women has produced a fascinating and unexpected new finding: while training produced significant increases in resting metabolic rate in young and older men, it had no effect on the resting metabolism of women.
The study involved 46 physically inactive subjects divided into the following four groups: young men (aged 20-30), young women, older men (65-75) and older women. After testing of various parameters, including aerobic capacity, body composition and resting metabolic rate (RMR), all the subjects took part in a whole body strength training (ST) programme for three days per week for an average of 24 weeks, using Keiser K-300 air-powered exercise equipment. They were then re-tested, with final results available for seven young men and women, 10 older men and eight older women.
Significant findings were as follows:
a. Each of the four groups increase fat-free mass (FFM) significantly in response to training, with young subjects showing significantly greater increases than older ones, but no apparent gender differences.
b. By contrast, changes in fat mass were affected by gender but not by age, with men showing a significant reduction and women no change.
c. All groups showed significant increases in 1-M strength for all exercises, with changes for chest press and leg press analysed separately for any effects of age and gender. Combined young subjects increased 1-RM strength in the leg press more than older subjects (31% v 23%). Young subjects increase chest press.1-RM strength significantly more than older subjects (28% v 16%) and men increased significantly more than women.
d. Significant increases in absolute RMR (9%) were observed for both young and older men but not for young and older women, despite similar increases in fat-free mass.
e. There was no change in energy expenditure of physical activity (EEPA - the other major component of total energy expenditure apart from RMR) outside the ST sessions for any of the groups.
’The results of this study show for the first time that changes in RMR in response to ST is affected by gender and not by age,’ the researchers report. ’Furthermore, when RMR was corrected for [fat-free mass] there was still a significant gender effect, with men having a ST-induced significant increase in RMR, whereas women still showed no change.’
’In addition, contrary to what has been suggested previously, ST does not cause an increase in EEPA outside of the training sessions in healthy, sedentary young and older men and women.’
What can explain the clear gender difference in the impact of strength training on resting metabolic rate? One possible explanation advanced by the researchers is ’differences in sympathetic nervous system activity responses to ST’, which was not, unfortunately, measured in the study.
Med Sci Sports Exerc 2001 Apr 33(4) p32-41
Isabel Walker
Andrew Hamilton
Latest Issue
Subscribe Today
Newsletter Sign Up
Testimonials
Dr. Alexandra Fandetti-Robin, Back & Body Chiropractic
Elspeth Cowell MSCh DpodM SRCh HCPC reg
William Hunter, Nuffield Health
Subscribe Today
Newsletter Sign Up
Coaches Testimonials
Dr. Alexandra Fandetti-Robin, Back & Body Chiropractic
Elspeth Cowell MSCh DpodM SRCh HCPC reg
William Hunter, Nuffield Health
Subscribe Today
Latest Issue
Keep up with latest sports science research and apply it to maximize performance
Today you have the chance to join a group of athletes, and sports coaches/trainers who all have something special in common...
They use the latest research to improve performance for themselves and their clients - both athletes and sports teams - with help from global specialists in the fields of sports science, sports medicine and sports psychology.
They do this by reading Sports Performance Bulletin, an easy-to-digest but serious-minded journal dedicated to high performance sports. SPB offers a wealth of information and insight into the latest research, in an easily-accessible and understood format, along with a wealth of practical recommendations.
*includes 3 coaching manuals
Get Inspired
All the latest techniques and approaches
Sports Performance Bulletin helps dedicated endurance athletes improve their performance. Sense-checking the latest sports science research, and sourcing evidence and case studies to support findings, Sports Performance Bulletin turns proven insights into easily digestible practical advice. Supporting athletes, coaches and professionals who wish to ensure their guidance and programmes are kept right up to date and based on credible science.
