The effects of strength and power training on functional abilities in older adults
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of strength and power training on the functional abilities of older adult subjects. Thirty-two male (n=7) and female (n=25) volunteers (74±6.2 yrs) participated in this randomized controlled trial of 12-wks duration. All groups performed 3 sets of 10 repetitions on 6 pneumatic resistance machines 3 days per week for 12 weeks. The high-velocity 70% 1RM group (70% Fast, n=11) and the high-velocity 50% 1RM group (50% Fast, n=8) performed the exercise movements as quickly as possible during the concentric portion of the movement. The low-velocity 70% 1RM (70% Slow, n=13) group performed the exercise movements in a slow and controlled fashion (2-3 sec) during the concentric portion of the movement. Leg press strength, peak power and average peak power were assessed using a computerized pneumatic system. Functional performance was assessed from a 50' fast walk test, a 30-sec chair stand, an 8-ft up-and-go timed test (TUG), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) before and after the 12-wk intervention. There were main effects of time (p≤.05) for leg press strength, peak power, average peak power, BBS, 50' fast walk and 30-sec chair stand. There were no main effects for group. Significant interactions were found only for the ABC and 50' fast walk. Post-hoc analyses revealed that the 70% Fast group declined significantly (p≤.05) on the ABC and increased significantly on the 50' fast walk test (p≤.05). Partial correlations at baseline, when controlled for age, revealed significant relationships between peak power and average peak power with all measures of functional abilities accounting for 20-24% of the variance in performance. Leg press strength, when controlled for age, was significantly correlated only with performance on the 30-sec chair stand test. In conclusion, high-velocity and low-velocity training improved functional performance. Although the relationship between power and function was strong the added benefits of training at higher velocities remain equivocal.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Lyle, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Gerontology|Kinesiology
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