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

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.