Link to Original Research

Michelle A. Rubin, John P. Miller, Alice S. Ryan, Margarita. Treuth, Kristine Y. Patterson, Richard E. Pratley, Ben F. Hurley, Claude Veillon, Phylis B. Moser-Veillon and Richard A. Anderson. Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Department of Kinesiology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD; USDA Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, Nutrient Requirements and Functions Laboratory, Beltsville, MD; and division of Gerontology, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland at Baltimore, Baltimore VA Medical Center, Baltimore, MD.

Objectives

The researchers measured the effects of short term (acute) and long term (chronic) strength training on the amount of chromium that is excreted in the urine. 10 men aged 53-63 years, consumed diets in compliance with the American Heart Association Phase 1 diet with a set amount of Chromium content, and participated in 16 weeks of strength training. Chromium excretion was measured after single bouts (acute) of strength training and after completion of the 16 weeks (chronic).

Results

Strength training led to an ≈ 41% increase in total body strength, increases in fat-free mass and decreases in the percentage of body fat. Both short term and long term strength training increased Chromium excretion.

Summary

This study demonstrates that there may be an increase in Chromium absorption in response to strength training as determined by the increased excretion of the Chromium isotope. It also suggests that some of the improvements in glucose and insulin metabolism due to exercise could be related to increased Chromium absorption.

Keiser Equipment Used

Leg press, leg extension, chest press, lat pull down, shoulder press, upper back. 

Published in Journal of Nutrition, vol. 128; pgs. 73-78, 1998.

Abstract #20 under the Diabetes abstracts also refers to Chromium.