Impact of a 16-week strength training program on physical performance, body composition and cardiac remodeling in previously untrained women and men

Even if more and more women are involved in strength-training (ST) programs in
fitness centers, studies on strength gain, body composition, and cardiac
remodeling were mainly conducted in men and whether they are similar in women
remains to be explored. In this context, the aim of our study was to assess the
effect of a supervised ST program on strength gains, body composition, and
cardiac remodeling in previously untrained women and men. 17 healthy and
previously untrained young women and 17 young men participated in a supervised
16-week ST program built according to the recommendation of the American College
of Sports Medicine in terms of intensity, and strictly using similar volume and
intensity in both groups. Strength performance, body composition, and cardiac
remodeling were evaluated every 4 weeks. Cardiac adaptations were assessed using
resting echocardiography, including regional 2D-Strain analysis of the left
atrium and ventricle (LA and LV, respectively). Despite lower values at
baseline, women exhibited similar or even higher strength gains compared to men.
ST induced a decrease of body and abdominal fat mass and an increase of lean
body mass in both groups. Similar cardiac remodeling was observed in women, and
women, including an early and progressive LV and LA enlargement throughout the
ST program, without any alteration of LV diastolic and systolic functions. These
findings underlie that ST programs are highly suitable for women to enhance
their strength performance and their cardiovascular health.

© 2024 The Authors. European Journal of Sport Science published by Wiley‐VCH
GmbH on behalf of European College of Sport Science.

DOI: 10.1002/ejsc.12033
PMCID: PMC11170668
PMID: 38895874 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

Conflict of interest statement: There is no conflict of Interest to declare.