Strength training combined with plyometric jumps in adults: sex differences in fat-bone axis adaptations

• Published in: Journal of applied physiology (1985) Vol. 106; no. 4; pp. 1100 - 1111
• Main Authors: Guadalupe-Grau, A, Perez-Gomez, J, Olmedillas, H, Chavarren, J, Dorado, C, Santana, A, Serrano-Sanchez, J. A, Calbet, J. A. L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD Am Physiological Soc 01.04.2009; American Physiological Society
• Subjects: Adipose Tissue - physiology; Adult; Adults; Anaerobic Threshold - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Body Composition - physiology; Body fat; Bone and Bones - physiology; Bones; Cross-Sectional Studies; Exercise; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gender differences; Hormones - blood; Humans; Isometric Contraction - physiology; Leg - physiology; Leptin - blood; Male; Muscle Strength - physiology; Myosin Heavy Chains - metabolism; Osteocalcin - blood; Phenotype; Physical Fitness - physiology; Running - physiology; Sample Size; Sex Characteristics; Weight Lifting - physiology; Young Adult; Physical exercise; Physical training; Physical performance; Sex; exercise; Hydrocortisone; Glucocorticoid; Osteoarticular system; Adult; Testicular hormone; Adaptation; Human; Corticosteroid; Androgen; Steroid hormone; adipose; Testosterone; cortisol; Vertebrata; Mammalia; performance; Adrenal hormone; Fat; Bone; Sex steroid hormone
• DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.91469.2008
• ISSN: 8750-7587

1 Department of Physical Education, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; 2 Department of Physical Education, University of Extremadura, Faculty of Sport Science, Cáceres; 3 Genetic Unit, Childhood Hospital-Materno Infantil de Las Palmas, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; and 4 Research Unit, Hospital de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain Submitted 11 November 2008 ; accepted in final form 9 December 2009 Leptin and osteocalcin play a role in the regulation of the fat-bone axis and may be altered by exercise. To determine whether osteocalcin reduces fat mass in humans fed ad libitum and if there is a sex dimorphism in the serum osteocalcin and leptin responses to strength training, we studied 43 male (age 23.9 2.4 yr, mean ± SD) and 23 female physical education students (age 23.2 ± 2.7 yr). Subjects were randomly assigned to two groups: training (TG) and control (CG). TG followed a strength combined with plyometric jumps training program during 9 wk, whereas the CG did not train. Physical fitness, body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), and serum concentrations of hormones were determined pre- and posttraining. In the whole group of subjects (pretraining), the serum concentration of osteocalcin was positively correlated ( r = 0.29–0.42, P < 0.05) with whole body and regional bone mineral content, lean mass, dynamic strength, and serum-free testosterone concentration ( r = 0.32). However, osteocalcin was negatively correlated with leptin concentration ( r = –0.37), fat mass ( r = –0.31), and the percent body fat ( r = –0.44). Both sexes experienced similar relative improvements in performance, lean mass (+4–5%), and whole body (+0.78%) and lumbar spine bone mineral content (+1.2–2%) with training. Serum osteocalcin concentration was increased after training by 45 and 27% in men and women, respectively ( P < 0.05). Fat mass was not altered by training. Vastus lateralis type II MHC composition at the start of the training program predicted 25% of the osteocalcin increase after training. Serum leptin concentration was reduced with training in women. In summary, while the relative effects of strength training plus plyometric jumps in performance, muscle hypertrophy, and osteogenesis are similar in men and women, serum leptin concentration is reduced only in women. The osteocalcin response to strength training is, in part, modulated by the muscle phenotype (MHC isoform composition). Despite the increase in osteocalcin, fat mass was not reduced. exercise; adipose; performance; testosterone; cortisol Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: J. A. L. Calbet, Departamento de Educación Física, Campus Universitario de Tafira, 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Island, Spain (E-mail: lopezcalbet{at}gmail.com )