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Int J Sports Med 2010; 31(2): 110-117
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1242811
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Serum Basal Hormone Concentrations, Nutrition and Physical Fitness During Strength and/or Endurance Training in 39–64-Year-Old Women

E. Sillanpää1 , A. Häkkinen2 , D. E. Laaksonen3 , L. Karavirta1 , W. J. Kraemer4 , K. Häkkinen1
  • 1University of Jyväskylä, Department of Biology of Physical Activity, Jyväskylä, Finland
  • 2University of Jyväskylä, Department of Health Sciences, Jyväskylä, Finland
  • 3University of Kuopio, Department of Physiology, Kuopio, Finland
  • 4University of Connecticut, Kinesiology, Storrs, United States
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision October 09, 2009

Publication Date:
17 December 2009 (online)

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Abstract

We examined effects of 21 weeks of strength and/or endurance training and nutrition on serum hormones and physical fitness in 39–64-year-old women. Subjects (n=79) were randomized into the endurance group (E), strength group (S), combined group (SE) and controls (C). Total body strength training and high-intensity bicycle training were used. Average energy and nutrient intake remained the same in all groups. Body fat (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) decreased significantly in all training groups and body mass index in E, SE and C. Only SE increased total body lean mass (2.2%, p=0.001), between groups p=0.044. Maximal cycling power increased more in E (16%) and SE (17%) than in S (8%)(all p<0.001), between groups p<0.001. Knee extension strength increased only in S (7%, p=0.006) and SE (11%, p<0.001). The changes in serum hormones did not differ between the groups, except insulin-like growth factor-1 (p=0.028), characterized by an 8% (p=0.097) increase in SE and a 7% (p=0.074) decrease in C. In women combined training led to marked improvements in physical fitness and body composition. Energy and protein intake was sufficient to ensure training-induced adaptations in muscle mass and physical fitness in response to both endurance and strength training, even though the energy balance was slightly negative in the endurance-trained groups.

Key words

combined training - basal hormones - nutrition

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Correspondence

Mrs. Elina SillanpääMSc 

Department of Biology of Physical Activity

University of Jyväskylä

PO BOX 35 (VIV)

40014 University of Jyväskylä

Finland

Phone: +358 14 260 4656

Fax: +358 14 260 2071

Email: elina.x.sillanpaa@jyu.fi

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