Effects of High-Intensity Resistance Training on Visceral Adipose Tissue and Abdominal Aortic Calcifications in Older Men with Osteosarcopenia – Results from the FrOST Study

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of a high-intensity resistance training (HIT-RT) on visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and abdominal aortic calcifications (AAC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a post hoc analysis of the Franconian Osteopenia and Sarcopenia Trial (FrOST). 43 community-dwelling men with osteosarcopenia aged 72 years and older were randomly allocated to a supervised high-intensity resistance training (HIT-RT) twice weekly for 18 months (EG; n=21) and a non-training control group (CG; n=22). Non-contrast enhanced 2-point Dixon MRI scans covering mid L2 to mid L3 were acquired to measure VAT volume inside the abdominal cavity. Volume of AAC and hard plaques in renal arteries, truncus celiacus and superior mesenteric artery was measured by computed tomography (CT) scans covering mid T12 to mid L3. Intention-to-treat analysis with imputation for missing data was used to determine longitudinal changes in VAT and AAC volume. Correlations were used to determine associations between VAT and AAC. RESULTS: Significant reduction of VAT volume in the EG (−7.7%; p<0.001) combined with no change in the CG (−1.3%; p=0.46) resulted in a significant 6.4% between group effect (p=0.022). We observed a significant increase of AAC volume in EG (+10.3%; p<0.001) and CG (12.0%; p<0.001). AAC differences between groups were not significant (p=0.57). In vascular outlets increases in volume of the hard plaques were observed in both groups, however, not all of them were significant. There was no significant correlation between changes in VAT and AAC volumes. CONCLUSION: The study confirmed a positive impact of HIT-RT on the metabolic and cardiovascular risk profile with respect to reduction of VAT volume. No positive exercise effect on AAC was observed. However, there was a further progression of AAC volume independent of group affiliation. Whether different exercise regimen may show a positive effect on AAC remains subject to further studies.