Effects of a Resistance Training Program in Older Women With Sarcopenia

The RTI group will participate in a periodized RT program on 3 non-consecutive days/week using NSCA and ACSM guidelines and will be designed by a team member who is a NSCA certified strength and conditioning specialist. This program will consist of a full-body, nonlinear periodized program: a training method that has frequent variations in program variables. Intensity variations intensity are based on training phase. E.g., the first portion of 12-week cycle has more moderate and light days as participants adapt to the program. Weeks 1-4 will consist of primarily RT machine exercises and few unilateral and multi-joint light free weight exercise. Weeks 5-8 will incorporate more free-weight exercises that are multi-joint. Weeks 9-12 will incorporate more complex multi-joint movements.

The CON group will meet three times weekly for approximately 12 weeks for light physical activity and stretching.