Muscle power increases after resistance training in growth-hormone-deficient adults

• Published in: Medicine and science in sports and exercise 2002-10, Vol.34 (10), p.1577-1581
• Main Authors: WERLANG COELHO, Carla, REBELLO VELLOSO, Claudio, RESENDE DE LIMA OLIVEIRA BRASIL, Rosane, VAISMAN, Mario, GIL SOARES DE ARAUJO, Claudio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Exercise - physiology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Growth Hormone - deficiency; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Physical Education and Training; Physical Fitness - physiology; Space life sciences; Striated muscle. Tendons; Vertebrates: osteoarticular system, musculoskeletal system
• ISSN: 0195-9131; 1530-0315
• DOI: 10.1097/00005768-200210000-00008

To measure the effects of a resistance training (RT) program over muscle function and body composition of adults with GH deficiency without replacement. 11 GH-deficient patients (39 +/- 11 yr) were evaluated in four occasions (two pretraining and at 6 and 12-wk of training). We performed anthropometric measurements and physical tests. Muscle power was measured by a specific tensiometer (Fitro, Bratislava, Slovakia) in five different exercises: seated chest press, rear lat pull-down, knee extension, standing upright row, and triceps press down. Muscle endurance was assessed by maximum number of sit-ups and maximum static strength by measurement with a handgrip dynamometer. A 12-wk home-based RT program was individually prescribed and consisted of 13 exercises, performed each other day, using simple material. No significant differences occurred in body weight or limb circumferences ( > 0.05), although the sum of central skinfolds decreased with RT (111 +/- 9 vs 100 +/- 9 mm; < 0.05). RT induced significant gains in four of five exercises: rear lat pull-down (141 +/- 19 vs 198 +/- 20 W), standing upright row (134 +/- 22 vs 157 +/- 24 W), triceps press down (85 +/- 14 vs 123 +/- 21 W), and seated chest press (114 +/- 20 vs 143 +/- 21 W; < 0.05). Sit-up results also showed significant improvements, while handgrip did not ( > 0.05). GH-deficient adults without GH replacement may improve their maximum muscle power when submitted to an individualized, simple, and short home-based RT program. Considering that limb girths did not significantly change, the gains were most likely due to improvements in neuromuscular components.