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Adiposity attenuates muscle quality and the adaptive response to resistance exercise in non-obese, healthy adults

International Journal of Obesity volume 35, pages 1095–1103 (2011)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background:

Emerging data have revealed a negative association between adiposity and muscle quality (MQ). There is a lack of research to examine this interaction among young, healthy individuals, and to evaluate the contribution of adiposity to adaptation after resistance exercise (RE).

Objective:

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the influence of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) on muscle function among non-obese individuals before and after RE.

Design:

Analyses included 634 non-obese (body mass index <30 kg m−2) subjects (253 males, 381 females; age=23.3±5.2 years). SAT and muscle mass (magnetic resonance imaging-derived SAT and biceps muscle volume), isometric and dynamic biceps strength, and MQ (strength/muscle volume), were analyzed at baseline and after 12 weeks of unilateral RE.

Results:

At baseline, SAT was independently associated with lower MQ for males (β=−0.55; P<0.01) and females (β=−0.45; P<0.01), controlling for body mass and age. Adaptation to RE revealed a significant negative association between SAT and changes for strength capacity (β=−0.13; p=0.03) and MQ (β=−0.14; P<0.01) among males. No attenuation was identified among females. Post-intervention SAT remained a negative predictor of MQ for males and females (β=−0.47; P<0.01).

Conclusions:

The findings reveal that SAT is a negative predictor of MQ among non-obese, healthy adults, and that after 12 weeks of progressive RE this association was not ameliorated. Data suggest that SAT exerts a weak, negative influence on the adaptive response to strength and MQ among males.

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Acknowledgements

Dr Mark Peterson is supported by the NIH, NICHD, NCMRR Grant no. 5 T32-HD007422. The Functional Polymorphisms Associated with Muscle Size and Strength Study is funded by a grant from the National Institute Health (5RO1NS040606-03).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Laboratory for Physical Activity and Exercise Intervention Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    M D Peterson, D Liu & P M Gordon

  2. Center for Genetic Medicine Research, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA

    H Gordish-Dressman, M J Hubal, J M Devaney & E P Hoffman

  3. Department of Physiology and Pennsylvania Muscle Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    E Pistilli

  4. Center for Lifestyle Medicine and the Department of Health Professions, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA

    T J Angelopoulos

  5. Department of Exercise Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA

    P M Clarkson

  6. Department of Sport Science and Health, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland

    N M Moyna

  7. Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA

    L S Pescatello

  8. Division of Cardiology, Henry Low Heart Center, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA

    R L Seip & P D Thompson

  9. Exercise Science Division, School of Health Sciences, Human Performance Laboratory, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA

    P S Visich

  10. Department of Exercise Science and Health Promotion, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA

    R F Zoeller

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Peterson, M., Liu, D., Gordish-Dressman, H. et al. Adiposity attenuates muscle quality and the adaptive response to resistance exercise in non-obese, healthy adults. Int J Obes 35, 1095–1103 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2010.257

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