Skeletal muscle hypertrophy, insulin-like growth factor 1, myostatin and follistatin in healthy and sarcopenic elderly men: the effect of whole-body resistance training

BackgroundSarcopenia describes the inevitable deterioration in muscle mass and strength that accompanies biological aging. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of resistance training on quadriceps hypertrophy and related biochemistry in sarcopenic and healthy elderly men. 

MethodsA total of thirty one elderly men (55-70 years old) were classified as sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic, and were divided into two groups. Both groups participated in a progressive resistance training program for 8 weeks. 
ResultsData indicated that the strength in the sarcopenic group increased more than the healthy group (P<0.05). Quadriceps cross-sectional area also increased more in the healthy group (P<0.05) Myostatin concentration decreased in both groups after training (P<0.05). Follistatin and testosterone increased in the healthy group; in contrast, only testosterone increased in the sarcopenic group after training (P<0.05). 
ConclusionsThe findings from this study suggest that resistance training improves muscle cross-sectional area and biomarker-related muscle loss in both healthy and sarcopenic elderly men. The findings also demonstrate that growth factor profiles at baseline, and changes in testosterone levels play an important role in muscle hypertrophy observed in both groups.