Resistance training improves cardiac function in older women: a randomized controlled trial.

This investigation aimed to determine the effects of 24 weeks of resistance training (RT) on cardiac function in older women. Seventy-three physically independent older women were selected for this investigation. Participants were randomized into a training group (TG, n = 38) and a control group (CG, n = 35). The RT program was conducted over 24 weeks and consisted of three sessions a week. Participants performed eight exercises for the whole body in three sets of 8-12 repetitions. Tissue Doppler echocardiography was performed, according to current guidelines, before and after 24 weeks of the intervention. One-repetition maximum (1-RM) tests were used to assess muscular strength. A group vs. time interaction (P < 0.05) was shown for left ventricular end-diastolic volume (TG =  - 8.3% vs. CG =  - 0.6%), left ventricular end-systolic volume (TG =  - 10.6% vs. CG =  + 1.1%), and left atrial volume index (TG =  - 9.1% vs. CG =  + 3.9%). A main time effect (P < 0.05) was found for left ventricular mass index (TG =  + 4.9% vs. CG =  - 0.6%), septal thickness (TG =  + 3.3% vs. CG =  - 1.7%), left ventricular ejection fraction (TG =  + 3.7% vs. CG =  - 0.5%), E'/E septal (TG =  - 4.8% vs. CG =  + 0.5%), deceleration time (TG =  - 4.1% vs. CG =  + 3.9%), E septal (TG =  + 4.6% vs. CG =  - 0.6%), and E lateral (TG =  + 5.2% vs. CG =  - 1.1%). These results suggest that 24 weeks of RT improves cardiac morphological and functional variables in older women.