Ultrastructural muscle damage in young vs. older men after high-volume, heavy-resistance strength training

• Published in: Journal of applied physiology (1985) 1999-06, Vol.86 (6), p.1833-1840
• Main Authors: Roth, Stephen M, Martel, Gregory F, Ivey, Frederick M, Lemmer, Jeffrey T, Tracy, Brian L, Hurlbut, Diane E, Metter, E. Jeffrey, Hurley, Ben F, Rogers, Marc A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Actin Cytoskeleton - ultrastructure; Adult; Aged; Aging - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Body Composition - physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Male; Men; Microscopy, Electron; Muscle Fibers, Skeletal - ultrastructure; Muscle, Skeletal - chemistry; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Muscle, Skeletal - ultrastructure; Muscular system; Sports training; Striated muscle. Tendons; Tissue Fixation; Vertebrates: osteoarticular system, musculoskeletal system; Weight Lifting - physiology
• ISSN: 8750-7587; 1522-1601
• DOI: 10.1152/jappl.1999.86.6.1833

1  Department of Kinesiology, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, 20742; 2  Department of Physical Therapy, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, 21853; and 3  Gerontology Research Center, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland 21224 This study assessed ultrastructural muscle damage in young (20-30 yr old) vs. older (65-75 yr old) men after heavy-resistance strength training (HRST). Seven young and eight older subjects completed 9 wk of unilateral leg extension HRST. Five sets of 5-20 repetitions were performed 3 days/wk with variable resistance designed to subject the muscle to near-maximal loads during every repetition. Biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis of both legs, and muscle damage was quantified via electron microscopy. Training resulted in a 27% strength increase in both groups ( P