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Cited by 257Sports Performance and TrainingHormonal and reproductive studiesExercise and Physiological Responses

Basal concentrations and acute responses of serum hormones andstrength development during heavy resistance training in middle-aged andelderly men and women

K. Häkkinen, A. Pakarinen, William J. Kraemer, Robert Usher Newton, Markku Alén·2000·The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
DOI 10.1093/gerona/55.2.b95
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Abstract

Effects of 6 months of heavy resistance training combined with explosive exercises on both basal concentrations and acute responses of total and free testosterone, growth hormone (GH), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), cortisol and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), as well as voluntary neural activation and maximal strength of knee extensors were examined in 10 middle-aged men (M40; 42 +/- 2 years), 11 middle-aged women (W40; 39 +/- 3 years), 11 elderly men (M70; 72 +/- 3 years), and in 10 elderly women (W70; 67 +/- 3 years). The maximal integrated electromyographic (iEMG) and 1 repetition maximum (RM) knee-extension values remained unaltered in all groups during a 1-month control period with no strength training. During the 6-month training the 1RM values increased in M40 by 27 +/- 9% (p < .001), in M70 by 16 +/- 6% (p < .001), in W40 by 28 +/- 11% (p < .001), and in W70 by 24 +/- 10% (p < .001). The iEMGs of the vastus lateralis and medialis muscles increased(p < .05-.001) in M40, M70, W40, and W70. No systematic changes occurred during the experimental period in the mean concentrations of serum total and free testosterone, DHEA, DHEAS, GH, cortisol, or SHBG. However, the mean levels of individual serum free testosterone in W70 and serum testosterone in the total group of women correlated with the individual changes recorded in strength during the training (r = .55,p <.05; and r = .43,p <.05). The single exercise session both before and after the training resulted in significant responses in serum total and free testosterone concentrations in both male groups (p <.05-.01), but not in the female groups, as well as in serum GH levels in all groups (p <.05-.01) except W70 (ns). In summary, the present strength training led to great increases in maximal strength not only in middle-aged but also in elderly men and women. The strength gains were accompanied by large increases in the maximal voluntary activation of the trained muscles. None of the groups showed systematic changes in the mean serum concentrations of hormones examined. However, a low level of testosterone, especially in older women, may be a limiting factor in strength development and testosterone could mediate interactions with the nervous system contributing to strength development. The physiological significance of the lack of acute responsiveness of serum GH to heavy resistance exercise in older women for their trainability during prolonged strength training requires further examination.

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Authors
Häkkinen, K., Pakarinen, A., Kraemer, W. J., Newton, R. U., & Alén, M.
Affiliations
University of Jyväskylä (FI)
ORCID
Venue
The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2000-02-01
Volume
55
Issue
2
Pages
B95-105
ISSN
  • 1079-5006 (ISSN-L)
  • 1758-535X
DOI
10.1093/gerona/55.2.b95
OpenAlex
W2342308356
Cited by
255
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 16 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 8
FWCI
10.65
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • The Journals of Gerontology Series A (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Hormonal and reproductive studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
Keywords
resistance training, maximal strength, knee extension, free testosterone, growth hormone, cortisol, sex hormone-binding globulin, dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, integrated electromyography, middle-aged adults, older adults, sex differences, aging, acute hormonal response, strength training adaptation, sex hormones
MeSH terms
Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Dehydroepiandrosterone, Electromyography, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Hormones, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Knee Joint, Lactates, Male, Middle Aged, Muscle Contraction, Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin, Testosterone, Weight Lifting, Body Mass Index, Multivariate Analysis, Muscle, Skeletal, Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate, Human Growth Hormone

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