Muscle architecture and strength: adaptations to short-term resistance training in older adults

Introduction: Muscle morphology and architecture changes in response to 6 weeks of progressive resistance training were examined in healthy older adults.

Methods: In this randomized, controlled design, muscle strength, quality, and architecture were evaluated with knee extension, DEXA, and ultrasound, respectively, in 25 older adults.

Results: Resistance training resulted in significant increases in strength and muscle quality of 32% and 31%, respectively. Cross-sectional area of the vastus lateralis increased by 7.4% (p ≤ 0.05). Physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA) of the thigh, a composite measure of muscle architecture, was related significantly to strength (r = 0.57; p ≤ 0.01) and demonstrated a significant interaction after training (p ≤ 0.05). Change in PCSA of the vastus lateralis was associated with change in strength independent of any other measure.

Conclusions: Six weeks of resistance training was effective at increasing strength, muscle quality, and muscle morphology in older adult men and women.