Effects of resistive training on strength gains in older adults

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a moderate intensity, 16-week resistive strength training program on the rate and pattern of strength changes in trunk, upper, and lower extremity muscle groups. This study was also designed to determine the importance of muscle mass on strength gains during a training intervention with older adults. A repeated measures experimental design was employed with 43 experimental (ES) and 42 comparison subjects (CS). The active older sample had a relatively high level of strength for their age (72.1 yr) and had no contraindications for strength training. The ES trained five upper, three trunk, and three lower extremity muscle groups. Both ES and CS received pre- and post-testing assessments for muscle strength, muscle morphology, body composition, flexibility, and balance. The ES also received intermittent testing for one repetition maximum (1RM). ANOVA and Scheffé HSD tests were used to evaluate the data. The ES experienced significant strength gains (over 41% for each body segment) following the intervention. The rate of gain in this study was less than but the absolute strength gain was reasonably similar to values reported by studies in the literature [1,2]. There was no change in muscle mass (p>.05) following training. These results suggests that stronger active older adults have a muscle mass sufficient for greater strength and that training enables them to use available muscle mass more effectively. These results further suggest that muscle hypertrophy may be possible following strength training but it is not always necessary for strength improvement in older adults.