T. Paillard*, C. Lafont **, M.C. Costes-Salon **, P. Dupui*

* Department of Medical Physiology, School of Medicine, Toulouse, France. ** Department of Gerontology and Internal Medicine, Purpan University Hospital, Toulouse France. Correspondance to : Thierry Paillard Department of Medical Physiology, School of Medicine, 133 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse Cedex 4, France. Tel: 05 65 75 82 66 Email: thierry.paillard@univ-pau.fr

The effects of three strength development methods (during 6 weeks) were assessed on the body composition in 32 women, 62 to 75 years old and randomised in 3 groups. The first group (SC) has climbed and come down 300 stairs er session. The second group (ES) followed an electrostimulation programme on quadriceps muscles. The third group (SC+ES) has combined the stairs climbing with electrostimulation. Body composition and bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed using Absorptiometry machine before and after the programmes. None of the programmes has increased significantly BMD. Nevertheless, the SC+ES group BMD enhanced more on the trochanter (p<0,05) and the two legs (p<0,05) than the SC and ES groups BMD (interaction group/time). The combined activity (SC+ES) would deserve to be tested on a longer period.

Keywords: Elderly, body composition, strength training, electrical stimulation, body mass, volontary exercice.