Efficacy of 3 days/wk resistance training on myofiber hypertrophy and myogenic mechanisms in young vs. older adults

J Appl Physiol (1985). 2006 Aug;101(2):531-44. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01474.2005. Epub 2006 Apr 13.

Abstract

Resistance training (RT) has shown the most promise in reducing/reversing effects of sarcopenia, although the optimum regime specific for older adults remains unclear. We hypothesized myofiber hypertrophy resulting from frequent (3 days/wk, 16 wk) RT would be impaired in older (O; 60-75 yr; 12 women, 13 men), sarcopenic adults compared with young (Y; 20-35 yr; 11 women, 13 men) due to slowed repair/regeneration processes. Myofiber-type distribution and cross-sectional area (CSA) were determined at 0 and 16 wk. Transcript and protein levels of myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) were assessed as markers of regeneration at 0 and 24 h postexercise, and after 16 wk. Only Y increased type I CSA 18% (P < 0.001). O showed smaller type IIa (-16%) and type IIx (-24%) myofibers before training (P < 0.05), with differences most notable in women. Both age groups increased type IIa (O, 16%; Y, 25%) and mean type II (O, 23%; Y, 32%) size (P < 0.05). Growth was generally most favorable in young men. Percent change scores on fiber size revealed an age x gender interaction for type I fibers (P < 0.05) as growth among Y (25%) exceeded that of O (4%) men. Myogenin and myogenic differentiation factor D (MyoD) mRNAs increased (P < 0.05) in Y and O, whereas myogenic factor (myf)-5 mRNA increased in Y only (P < 0.05). Myf-6 protein increased (P < 0.05) in both Y and O. The results generally support our hypothesis as 3 days/wk training led to more robust hypertrophy in Y vs. O, particularly among men. However, this differential hypertrophy adaptation was not explained by age variation in MRF expression.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aging / physiology*
  • Exercise / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertrophy / pathology
  • Hypertrophy / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Development / physiology*
  • MyoD Protein / genetics
  • MyoD Protein / physiology
  • Myofibrils / pathology*
  • Myofibrils / physiology*
  • Myogenic Regulatory Factor 5 / genetics
  • Myogenic Regulatory Factor 5 / physiology
  • Myogenic Regulatory Factors / genetics
  • Myogenic Regulatory Factors / physiology
  • Myogenin / genetics
  • Myogenin / physiology
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Sex Characteristics
  • Time Factors
  • Weight Lifting*

Substances

  • MYF5 protein, human
  • MyoD Protein
  • Myogenic Regulatory Factor 5
  • Myogenic Regulatory Factors
  • Myogenin
  • RNA, Messenger
  • myogenic factor 6