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Published on: July 5, 2017
Differences in maximum upper and lower limb strength in older adults after a 12 week intense resistance training
Nelson Sousa1, Romeu Mendes, Catarina Abrantes
1Research Center in Sport Health & Human Development, Portugal ; University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Sport Sciences, Exercise & Health Department, Portugal.
Journal of Human Kinetics
|March 15, 2013
Summary
Elderly males gained more strength in upper limbs than lower limbs after a 12-week training program. Lower limb muscles showed less strength gain potential in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Exercise Physiology
- Muscle Physiology
Background:
- Aging is associated with sarcopenia and reduced muscle strength.
- Strength training is a key intervention to counteract age-related muscle decline.
- Understanding differential muscle adaptations in older adults is crucial for targeted training.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare maximum strength gains between upper and lower limb muscle groups in healthy elderly males following a 12-week intense strength training program.
- To investigate potential differences in trainability between upper and lower limb muscles in older age.
Main Methods:
- 12-week strength training program (3x/week, 50-80% 1RM, 2-3 sets, 6-12 reps).
- Sample: 10 healthy, independently living elderly males (age 73±6 years).
- Measurement of one-repetition maximum (1RM) every 4 weeks using direct methods for upper and lower limb muscle groups.
Main Results:
- Significant differences were found in muscle groups, time, and their interaction (p<0.05).
- Higher gains in 1RM values were observed for upper limb muscles compared to lower limb muscles.
- The training program effectively increased maximum strength in both muscle groups.
Conclusions:
- Upper limb muscles demonstrated greater strength gains, suggesting higher trainability in older adults.
- Lower limb muscles, potentially more frequently used, exhibited a smaller strength gain potential.
- Findings suggest that upper limb muscles may experience more accelerated atrophy and possess greater potential for strength improvement in the elderly.
