Resistance Training Alone or Combined With N-3 PUFA-Rich Diet in Older Women: Effects on Muscle Fiber Hypertrophy

We aimed to examine cellular and molecular changes in skeletal muscle of recreationally active older women in response to 24 weeks of combined resistance training and N-3 PUFA-rich healthy diet. Sixty-three women (65-70 years) were randomized into resistance training and healthy diet rich in N-3PUFAs (RT-HD), resistance training only (RT) and controls (CON). Fiber type-specific morphological characteristics and gene expression of inflammatory biomarkers and regulators of muscle mass were analyzed in m. vastus lateralis biopsies obtained before the intervention and 4 days after the last training session. Gene expression of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β was downregulated (p < .05) and that of the regulator of cellular growth mTOR (p < 0.05) was upregulated in skeletal muscle of RT-HD only. There was also a significant hypertrophy of fast type IIA muscle fibers in RT-HD only (+23%, p < .05). In conclusion, resistance training combined to an N-3 PUFA-rich healthy diet but not alone triggers local anti-inflammatory and growth responses, favoring skeletal muscle hypertrophy in already recreationally active older women.