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Updated: Dec 14, 2025

Improving Strength, Power, Muscle Aerobic Capacity, and Glucose Tolerance through Short-term Progressive Strength Training Among Elderly People

Improving Strength, Power, Muscle Aerobic Capacity, and Glucose Tolerance through Short-term Progressive Strength Training Among Elderly People

Published on: July 5, 2017

Suspension training vs. traditional resistance training: effects on muscle mass, strength and functional performance

Samuel Domingos Soligon¹, Deivid Gomes da Silva¹, João Guilherme Almeida Bergamasco¹

¹MUSCULAB, Laboratory of Neuromuscular Adaptations to Resistance Training, Department of Physical Education, Federal University of São Carlos, UFSCar, Rod. Washington Luiz, km 235-SP 310, São Carlos, SP, 13565-905, Brazil.

European Journal of Applied Physiology

|July 24, 2020

Abstract

Purpose:

We compared the effects of suspension training (ST) with traditional resistance training (TRT) on muscle mass, strength and functional performance in older adults.

Methods:

Forty-two untrained older adults were randomized in TRT, ST (both performed 3 sets of whole body exercises to muscle failure) or control group (CON). Muscle thickness (MT) of biceps brachii (MT_BB) and vastus lateralis (MT_VL), maximal dynamic strength test (1RM) for biceps curl (1RM_BC) and leg extension exercises (1RM_LE), and functional performance tests (chair stand [CS], timed up and go [TUG] and maximal gait speed [MGS]) were performed before and after 12 weeks of training.

Results:

MT_BB increased significantly and similarly for all training groups (TRT 23.35%; ST 21.56%). MT_VL increased significantly and similarly for all training groups (TRT 13.03%; ST 14.07%). 1RM_BC increased significantly and similarly for all training groups (TRT 16.06%; ST 14.33%). 1RM_LE increased significantly and similarly for all training groups (TRT 14.89%; ST 18.06%). MGS increased significantly and similarly for all groups (TRT 6.26%; ST 5.99%; CON 2.87%). CS decreased significantly and similarly for all training groups (TRT - 20.80%; ST - 15.73%). TUG decreased significantly and similarly for all training groups (TRT - 8.66%; ST - 9.16%).

Conclusion:

Suspension training (ST) promotes similar muscle mass, strength and functional performance improvements compared to TRT in older adults.

Keywords:

Aging Functionality Instability resistance training Muscle hypertrophy TRX training

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