Effects of detraining on muscle strength and mass ...

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Lexell J, Downham DY, Larsson Y, Bruhn E, Morsing B. Heavy-resistance training in older Scandinavian men and women: short- and long-term effects on arm ...
Clin Physiol Funct Imaging (2009) 29, pp316–319

doi: 10.1111/j.1475-097X.2009.00866.x

SHORT COMMUNICATION

Effects of detraining on muscle strength and mass after high or moderate intensity of resistance training in older adults Savvas P. Tokmakidis, Vasilios I. Kalapotharakos, Ilias Smilios and Andreas Parlavantzas Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini, Greece

Summary Correspondence Savvas P. Tokmakidis, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, 69100 Komotini, Greece E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted for publication Received 8 June 2008; accepted 15 February 2009

Key words ageing; exercise; hypertrophy; maximum strength; muscle performance

This study examined the effects of a 12 weeks detraining period on muscle strength and mass in older adults who had previously participated in a 12 weeks resistance training programme of high [80% of one repetition maximum (1-RM)] or moderate (60% of 1-RM) intensity. Twenty older adults (60–74 years), separated into a high (HI; n = 10; age: 65 ± 5 years) and a moderate (MI; n = 10; age: 66 ± 4 years) intensity resistance training group, were measured in the 1-RM knee extension and flexion strength, and the midthigh cross sectional areas (CSAs) of quadriceps, hamstrings and total thigh before and after a 12 weeks training period as well as after a 12 weeks detraining period. Maximum knee extension and flexion strength and the CSAs of all muscles decreased significantly (P