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Exercise training in the debilitated aged: strength and functional outcomes
J R Meuleman1, W F Brechue, P S Kubilis
1Gainesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University of Florida, College of Medicine, 32608, USA.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
|March 21, 2000
Summary
Debilitated elderly individuals can effectively perform resistance training, significantly improving strength and function. Endurance training was less effective for this group, but resistance exercise showed notable benefits for the most impaired participants.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Exercise Physiology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Aging is associated with declines in physical function.
- Resistance and endurance training can improve fitness in older adults.
- The capacity of frail, elderly individuals to undertake and benefit from moderate-intensity exercise remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if debilitated elderly individuals can perform moderate-intensity resistance and endurance training.
- To assess short-term improvements in strength, endurance, and function in this population.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial involving 58 participants (mean age 75) from nursing home and rehabilitation units.
- Intervention included thrice-weekly resistance training and twice-weekly endurance training for 4-8 weeks.
- Outcome measures included isometric strength, heart rate response, and activities of daily living (ADL) scores.
Main Results:
- Resistance training led to a significant mean increase in isometric strength of 32.8% compared to 10.2% in controls.
- No significant change in heart rate response during endurance testing was observed in the training group.
- Trained subjects showed greater functional improvement, particularly those with lower initial ADL scores (p = .04).
Conclusions:
- Debilitated elderly patients can successfully complete resistance training programs.
- Resistance training significantly enhances strength and functional capacity in this population, with the most impaired individuals experiencing the greatest gains.
- Endurance training was not effectively performed by most participants in this cohort.