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Int J Sports Med 2006; 27(8): 660-665
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-865812
Clinical Sciences

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Muscular Strength Changes in Hospitalized Anorexic Patients After an Eight Week Resistance Training Program

I. Chantler1 , C. P. Szabo2 , K. Green1
  • 1School of Physiology, University of Witwatersrand Medical School, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • 2Division of Psychiatry, University of Witwatersrand Medical School, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted after revision: May 30, 2005

Publication Date:
30 August 2005 (online)

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Abstract

We investigated whether an eight week, light resistance program could increase the muscular strength of the knee and elbow extensors and flexors in a group of hospitalized anorexic patients compared to anorexic controls (AC) who did not participate in the training program, but received the same caloric intake, and non-anorexic exercisers (NAE) who undertook the resistance training program. After the resistance training program, the seven anorexic exercisers (AE) significantly increased the peak torque (PT) of their knee extensors (p < 0.001), flexors (p < 0.0001) and elbow flexors (p < 0.01). In comparison, the seven anorexic non-exercisers (anorexic controls, AC) and seven non-anorexic exercisers (NAE), who performed the same program, showed no significant increase in peak torque after the program (p > 0.05). The study has demonstrated that an eight week, light resistance program increases the knee and elbow strength of the hospitalized anorexic patients.

Key words

Anorexia nervosa - strength training - peak torque

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Ingrid Chantler

School of Physiology
University of Witwatersrand

Private Bag 3

2050 WITS, Johannesburg

South Africa

Phone: + 27117172363

Fax: + 27 1 16 43 27 65

Email: chantleri@physiology.wits.ac.za