Keywords

aging, muscle quality, resistance training, ultrasonography, quadriceps

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Age-related declines in muscle strength are more closely linked to deteriorations in muscle quality than muscle mass. Echo intensity (EI) measured by B-mode ultrasonography is a common non-invasive marker of intramuscular adiposity and fibrous tissue. Although high-intensity resistance training is effective, the added value of higher training volumes on muscle quality and strength in older adults remains unclear. PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the effects of different resistance training volumes on various measures of muscle quality, size, and strength among older adults. METHODS: Twenty-five older adults were randomized to either moderate volume (2 sets per exercise) or high volume (6 sets per exercise) resistance training groups. Participants trained twice weekly, performing leg extension, trap-bar deadlift, and leg press at 85% of one-repetition maximum (1RM). Pre- and post-intervention assessments included ultrasonographic measures of the vastus lateralis (VL) and rectus femoris (RF), leg lean mass, leg extension 1RM, isometric and isokinetic quadriceps strength, and functional tests. RESULTS: Group × time interactions were small, suggesting no advantage of high volume training. Regardless of volume, participants improved in VL EI (p = 0.025, ηp 2 = 0.200), VL (p = 0.015, ηp 2 = 0.232) and RF cross-sectional area (p < 0.001, ηp 2 = 0.440), leg extension 1RM (p < 0.001, ηp 2 = 0.794), isometric torque (p < 0.001, ηp 2 = 0.630), and concentric torque at 180°/s (p < 0.001, ηp 2 = 0.423) and 300°/s (p = 0.009, ηp 2 = 0.263). No changes were observed in RF EI, leg lean mass, or functional performance. CONCLUSION: Higher training volumes did not confer additional benefits over moderate volumes for improving muscle quality. EI changes were muscle-specific, suggesting heterogeneous adaptations among older adults

Completion Date

2025

Semester

Summer

Committee Chair

Stock, Matt

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Health Professions and Sciences

Department

Kinesiology

Format

PDF

Identifier

DP0029569

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

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