Effect of Resistance Training Programs With Equated Power on Older Adults' Functionality and Strength: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the effects of two resistance training programs with equated power but differing load intensities on older adults' functionality, strength, and cardiovascular endurance, including walking performance.
Results Summary
Both training groups improved functional performance, but only the high-load low-velocity group showed significant improvement in 6-minute walking performance (pre: 514.3 ± 89.0 m, post: 552.6 ± 65.4 m; p < 0.05). The control group experienced a decline in global power performance for some exercises.
Population
Forty-four active older adults (66.3 ± 4.5 years, 23 female).
Effective Dosage
Resistance training at 95% of individual peak power, twice weekly for 5 weeks.
Duration
5 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
low-load high-velocity resistance training program | increase | peak power | active older adults | - | similarly improved | #1 |
high-load low-velocity resistance training program | increase | peak power | active older adults | - | similarly improved | #2 |
low-load high-velocity resistance training program | increase | maximal voluntary isokinetic force | active older adults | - | increased | #3 |
high-load low-velocity resistance training program | increase | maximal voluntary isokinetic force | active older adults | - | increased | #4 |
low-load high-velocity resistance training program | increase | relative load-power profile | active older adults | - | positive effects on | #5 |
high-load low-velocity resistance training program | increase | relative load-power profile | active older adults | - | positive effects on | #6 |
control group | decrease | global power performance | active older adults | - | decreased | #7 |
low-load high-velocity resistance training program | increase | Timed Up and Go performance | active older adults | - | improved | #8 |
high-load low-velocity resistance training program | increase | Timed Up and Go performance | active older adults | - | improved | #9 |
high-load low-velocity resistance training program | increase | 6-minute walking performance | active older adults | pre: 514.3 ± 89.0 m, post: 552.6 ± 65.4 m | increased | #10 |
short-term power training with loads slightly above the optimal load | increase | functional performance | active older adults | - | might improve | #11 |
short-term power training with loads slightly above the optimal load | increase | cardiovascular endurance | active older adults | - | might improve | #12 |
Fraga-Germade, E, Carballeira, E, and Iglesias-Soler, E. Effect of resistance training programs with equated power on older adults' functionality and strength: a randomized controlled trial. J Strength Cond Res 38(1): 153-163, 2024-This study aimed to compare the effect of 2 training programs of equated power but differing in load intensity on older adults' functionality, strength, performance, and body composition. Forty-four active (23 female) older adults (66.3 ± 4.5 years) were randomly assigned to low-load high-velocity (LL-HV), high-load low-velocity (HL-LV), and control (CON) groups. Low-load high-velocity and HL-LV performed, twice weekly for 5 weeks, a resistance training program at 95% of their individual peak power (PP) but with different load intensities for 3 exercises: chest press (CHP), leg press (LP), and seated row (SR). Before and after the intervention, body composition, functional performance, maximal voluntary isokinetic force (MVF), PP, and a relative load-power profile (L-PP) were evaluated for every exercise. PP similarly improved in the experimental groups for SR and LP (p < 0.05). Both groups increased their MVF for the 3 exercises (p < 0.05). Positive effects on L-PP were observed in LL-HV for SR (p = 0.009) and HL-LV for LP (p < 0.001). CON decreased its global power performance in SR (p = 0.009) and CHP (p = 0.031) compared with the baseline. Both experimental groups improved Timed Up and Go performance (p < 0.05), but only HL-LV increased 6-minute walking performance (pre: 514.3 ± 89.0 m, post: 552.6 ± 65.4 m; p < 0.05). In conclusion, adding short-term power training (i.e., 10 sessions throughout 5 weeks) with loads slightly above the optimal load to nonsupervised multicomponent training might improve active older adults' functional performance and cardiovascular endurance.