Lower extremity muscle function after strength or power training in older adults

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Exercise Physiology
• Musculoskeletal Health

Background:

• Older adults often experience muscle decline, impacting daily function.
• The optimal training method for improving strength and power in this demographic remains debated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effects of lower extremity power training (PT) versus strength training (ST) on muscle strength, power, and physical function in older adults.
• To determine which training modality is more effective for enhancing physical capabilities in seniors with functional limitations.

Main Methods:

• 45 older adults (mean age 74.8 years) with self-reported daily activity difficulties were randomized into PT, ST, or control groups.
• Both PT and ST groups trained 3 times/week for 12 weeks using knee-extension and leg-press machines at ~70% of 1-repetition maximum.
• PT involved a "fast as possible" concentric phase, while ST used a 2-3 second concentric phase.

Main Results:

• Both PT and ST significantly improved 1-repetition maximum (1RM) for knee-extension and leg-press compared to the control group.
• Maximum muscle power increased approximately twofold with PT compared to ST.
• At 12 weeks, significant increases in maximum power were observed in the PT group, but not the ST group, relative to controls.

Conclusions:

• Power training (PT) and strength training (ST) yield similar improvements in muscle strength for older adults with functional limitations.
• Power training (PT) demonstrates superior efficacy in enhancing muscle power compared to strength training (ST) in this population.
• PT may be a more effective intervention for improving power and potentially physical function in older adults experiencing functional decline.