ISSN:
1432-2013
Keywords:
Key words Capillary supply
;
Aging
;
Resistance training
;
Aerobic power
;
Oxygen flux
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Resistance training (RT) has been shown to increase aerobic power in older humans. To determine the effects of RT on the capillary supply in this population, nine older men (65–74 y) engaged in 9 weeks RT of the lower body. Following RT, peak O2 uptake (V.O2,peak) increased by 7% (P〈.01). Needle biopsies (vastus lateralis muscle) revealed significant increases (mean ± SE) in fibre area (3,874 ± 314 μm2 to 4,778 ± 309 μm2), fibre perimeter (P, 262 ± 11 μm to 296 ± 11 μm), capillary contacts (3.7 ± .2 to 4.3 ± .3) and the individual capillary-to-fibre ratio (C:Fi, 1.33 ± .32 to 1.61 ± .37, P〈.005). To evaluate the potential for blood-tissue exchange, both fibre area-based and perimeter-based measures of the capillary supply were compared. While the area-based measures were maintained, C:Fi/P was increased, consistent with an increase in the size of the fibre-capillary interface and thus, an increased potential for oxygen flux following RT. Of the measurements of capillary supply, V.O2,peak correlated best with C:Fi/P (r = 0.69, P〈.005). These results indicate a significant increase in the capillary supply relative to the perimeter, but not the cross-sectional area, of the muscle fibres following RT in older men, and that C:Fi/P is strongly correlated to the V.O2,peak in this population.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s004240050273
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