Cited by 269Nutrition and Health in AgingMuscle Physiology and DisordersMuscle metabolism and nutrition

Alterations in muscle attenuation following detraining and retraining in resistance-trained older adults

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Taaffe, Dennis R., Henwood, Tim R., Nalls, Michael A., Walker, Duncan G., Lang, Thomas F., Harris, Tamara B.·2009·Gerontology

Abstract

Background: Aging skeletal muscle is characterized not only by a reduction in size (sarcopenia) and strength but also by an increase in fatty infiltration (myosteatosis). An effective countermeasure to sarcopenia is resistance exercise; however, its effect on fatty infiltration is less clear. Objective: To examine in resistance-trained older persons whether muscle attenuation, a noninvasive measure of muscle density reflecting intramuscular lipid content, is altered with training status. Methods: Thirteen healthy community-dwelling men and women aged 65–83 years (body mass index 27.0 ± 1.2, mean ± SE) had computed-tomography scans of the mid-thigh performed following 24 weeks of training, 24 weeks of detraining, and 12 weeks of retraining. Training and retraining were undertaken twice weekly for several upper- and lower-body muscle groups. Skeletal muscle attenuation in Hounsfield units (HU) as well as mid-thigh muscle volume was obtained for the quadriceps and hamstrings. Muscle strength was assessed by 1-repetition maximum and physical function by a battery of tests. Results: The average change in muscle strength following training, detraining and retraining was 48.8 ± 2.9%, –17.6 ± 1.3%, and 19.8 ± 2.0%, respectively. Strength changes were accompanied by significant alterations in muscle density (p < 0.001), with the quadriceps HU decreasing by 7.7 ± 1.0% following detraining and increasing by 5.4 ± 0.5% with retraining. For the hamstrings HU measure, detraining and retraining resulted in an 11.9 ± 1.4% loss and a 5.5 ± 1.8% gain, respectively. There was no significant change in muscle volume. Conclusion: Cessation of resistance exercise in trained older persons increases the fatty infiltration of muscle, while resumption of exercise decreases it. Monitoring changes in both muscle size and fat infiltration may enable a more comprehensive assessment of exercise in combating age-related muscular changes.

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  • This recovery has been observed in the general older population and frail individuals, highlighting the adaptability of the aging neuromuscular system and its ability to regain strength and overall PA levels after a break in training.

    “This recovery has been observed in the general older population [262,270,274,278] and frail individuals [276], highlighting the adaptability of the aging neuromuscular system and its ability to regain strength and overall PA levels after a break in training.”
  • Following a period of deconditioning, retraining in older adults has been shown to quickly restore neuromuscular function and the cardiometabolic health benefits that were initially achieved.

    “Following a period of deconditioning, retraining in older adults has been shown to quickly restore neuromuscular function and the cardiometabolic health benefits that were initially achieved.”
  • Following a period of deconditioning, retraining in older adults has been shown to quickly restore neuromuscular function and cardiometabolic health benefits that were initially achieved.

    “Following a period of deconditioning, retraining in older adults has been shown to quickly restore neuromuscular function and the cardiometabolic health benefits that were initially achieved.”
  • This recovery has been observed in the general older population and frail individuals, highlighting adaptability of the aging neuromuscular system and its ability to regain strength and overall PA levels after a break in training.

    “This recovery has been observed in the general older population [262,270,274,278] and frail individuals [276], highlighting the adaptability of the aging neuromuscular system and its ability to regain strength and overall PA levels after a break in training.”

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Authors
Taaffe, D. R., Henwood, T. R., Nalls, M. A., Walker, D. G., Lang, T. F., & Harris, T. B.
Affiliations
  • The University of Queensland (AU)
  • Wesley Hospital (AU)
  • University of California, San Francisco (US)
  • National Institutes of Health (US)
Venue
Gerontology
Publisher
S. Karger AG
Published
2008-12-05
Volume
55
Issue
2
Pages
217-223
ISSN
  • 0304-324X (ISSN-L)
  • 1423-0003
OpenAlex
W2092088867
Cited by
269
References
41
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 18 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 15
FWCI
6.09
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Gerontology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute on Aging (Z01AG007400)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Nutrition and Health in Aging
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Muscle Physiology and Disorders
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
Keywords
muscle attenuation, resistance training, detraining, retraining, older adults, sarcopenia, myosteatosis, intramuscular fat, muscle density, muscle strength, muscle volume, quadriceps, hamstrings, physical function
MeSH terms
Adipose Tissue, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Female, Humans, Male, Tomography, X-Ray Computed, Muscle, Skeletal, Lipid Metabolism, Muscle Strength, Resistance Training

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