Effects of long-term periodized resistance training on body composition, leptin, resistin and muscle strength in elderly post-menopausal women

Objective of the study was to determine the effects of a periodized resistance training program on body composition, plasmatic levels of leptin and resistin, and muscle strength in elderly post-menopausal women. Twenty-three post-menopausal women (age= 63.02±4.42 years; height 1.55±0.06 m; body mass 67.56±2.26 kg) were submitted to 12 months of periodized resistance training twice a week. The training program consisted of 3 sets of 6-14 repetitions maximal (RM). Body composition (DXA), muscle strength (bench press, leg press 45º and arm curl), plasmatic levels of resistin and leptin (ELISA method) were assessed before and after the training program. Paired Student's t test was used for comparison between pre- and post-training values. There was a significant increase in muscle strength and lean body mass; decrease in body mass, body fat percentage and fat mass after 12 months of resistance training, a part from the decrease in leptin and resistin levels. Long-term periodized resistance training prevents aging sarcopenia, decreases body fat and systemic markers of inflammation in postmenopausal elderly women.