Effects of strength training and nutritional counseling on metabolic health indicators in aging women.

Purpose: Effects of strength training (ST) and nutritional counseling (NC) on metabolic health indicators were examined in 50 aging women.

Methods: Subjects performed ST for 21 weeks. NC was given to obtain sufficient energy and protein intake, and recommended intake of fat and fiber.

Results: NC increased intake of protein and polyunsaturated fat by 4.5% and 10.7% and decreased intake of saturated fat by 18.3%. Serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), total and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio and triacylglycerols (TAG) decreased, and serum HDL-C increased in all subjects after ST. Respectively, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and serum insulin concentration decreased in all subjects. NC contributed to the decreases in levels of serum LDL-C after the first half of ST and serum TC and HDL-C ratio during both ST periods. Changes in serum TAG concentrations correlated positively with intake of carbohydrates, and negatively with monounsaturated fat in all subjects. Respectively, changes in serum TC levels were related to protein intake, and changes in serum HDL-C to intake of fat, and inversely to carbohydrate and protein in all subjects. Relationships between serum TC and HDL-C levels and protein intake were only observable in the ST+NC group.

Conclusions: The long-term ST had favorable effects on serum lipids, lipoproteins, insulin concentration, and blood pressure. However, NC further contributed to positive changes in serum lipids and lipoproteins.