Resistance exercise training increases mixed muscle protein synthesis rate in frail women and men >/=76 yr old

Muscle atrophy (sarcopenia) in the elderly is associated with a reduced rate of muscle protein synthesis. The purpose of this study was to determine if weight-lifting exercise increases the rate of muscle protein synthesis in physically frail 76- to 92-yr-old women and men. Eight women and 4 men with mild to moderate physical frailty were enrolled in a 3-mo physical therapy program that was followed by 3 mo of supervised weight-lifting exercise. Supervised weight-lifting exercise was performed 3 days/wk at 65-100% of initial 1-repetition maximum on five upper and three lower body exercises. Compared with before resistance training, the in vivo incorporation rate of [(13)C]leucine into vastus lateralis muscle protein was increased after resistance training in women and men (P < 0.01), although it was unchanged in five 82 +/- 2-yr-old control subjects studied two times in 3 mo. Maximum voluntary knee extensor muscle torque production increased in the supervised resistance exercise group. These findings suggest that muscle contractile protein synthetic pathways in physically frail 76- to 92-yr-old women and men respond and adapt to the increased contractile activity associated with progressive resistance exercise training.