Low-volume Resistance Training: Impact of Load Intensity on Sarcopenia Indicators in Post-menopausal Women

BACKGROUND this study investigated the impact of intensity in a low-volume of resistance training (RT) on sarcopenia indicators in postmenopausal women (PTW). METHODS thirty-two participants were randomly assigned to either a control group (CT, n = 10), a lower intensity group RT (LI-RT, n = 10) that performed one set of 25–30 repetition maximum per exercise or a higher intensity RT group (HI-RT, n = 12) that performed one set of 8–12 repetition maximum per exercise. The RT groups performed 8 exercises, with 90 seconds of rest between exercises, 2 times a week for 24-weeks. Muscle mass (MM) of limbs (upper and lower) was assessed by DEXA, muscle strength (MS) was measured by the 1-RM leg press test, and physical performance by the TUG test and the 30-second sit to stand test. The ANCOVA (covariates: age, antihypertensive drugs, hormone replacement therapy and pre-time values) was used to analyze the gains (Δ) between groups, with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS after 24-weeks of RT, lower and upper limb MM (together/summed) increased in both HI-RT (Δ = 0.60 kg; 95% CI: 0.23–1.0 kg) and LI-RT (Δ = 0.48 kg; 95% CI: 0.06–0.91 kg) in relation to CT (Δ=-0.03 kg; 95% CI: -0.43–0.37 kg) with no difference between them (p = 0.016; ƞ²=0.27 (large); observed power = 0.83). However, upper limb MM increased only in the HI-RT. For MS, the HI-RT group (Δ = 40 kg; 95% CI: 21–58 kg) showed greater gains compared to the CT (Δ = -5 kg; CI 95%: -24–14 kg) and LL (Δ = 12 kg; 95% CI: -8–33 kg) (p = 0.001 η ²  = 0.35, Power = 0.98). CONCLUSIONS even though LI-RT promotes MM gains in lower limbs, HI-RT should be considered in low-volume training to promote gains in MS and also in MM in upper limbs in the PTW.