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Improving Strength, Power, Muscle Aerobic Capacity, and Glucose Tolerance through Short-term Progressive Strength Training Among Elderly People
Published on: July 5, 2017
Neural training for quick strength gains in the elderly: strength as a learned skill
Christopher A Knight1, Adam R Marmon
1Human Performance Lab, Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA. caknight@udel.edu
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
|October 9, 2008
Summary
This study shows older adults can achieve rapid strength gains in ankle plantarflexors through a brief training program. The intervention focused on high-velocity, low-force movements to enhance neural stimulation and improve strength.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Exercise Physiology
- Neuromuscular Adaptation
Background:
- Aging is associated with declines in muscle strength and power, particularly in the lower extremities.
- Ankle plantarflexor strength is crucial for mobility and fall prevention in older adults.
- Previous research indicates that resistance training can improve strength in older populations, but rapid, functionally relevant gains are less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of a brief, two-session training intervention in eliciting rapid and functionally meaningful strength gains in the ankle plantarflexors of older adults.
- To assess changes in maximal voluntary torque (MVT) and peak rates of torque development (RTDs) following the intervention.
- To explore the potential of high-velocity, low-force exercises in augmenting strength gains in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- Twenty older adults (mean age 76 years) participated in the study.
- A training intervention involved two sessions incorporating maximal explosive force production contractions (MVCs) and high-velocity, low-force ankle movements.
- Measurements of MVT and RTDs were taken before and after the training sessions.
Main Results:
- Maximal voluntary torque (MVT) significantly increased by 15% (p = 0.02).
- A trend towards increased peak rates of torque development (RTDs) was observed, though not statistically significant across all measures (0.11 < p < 0.21).
- The intervention successfully elicited rapid strength improvements in ankle plantarflexors.
Conclusions:
- A brief training intervention can lead to rapid, functionally significant strength gains in the ankle plantarflexors of older adults.
- High-velocity, low-force exercises may contribute to enhanced neural stimulation and strength improvements.
- Further research is needed to confirm these findings in frail elderly populations and to elucidate the specific mechanisms driving these gains.
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