Comparative Effects of Light or Heavy Resistance Power Training for Improving Lower Extremity Power and Physical Performance in Mobility-Limited Older Adults
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND: We compared the effects of two uniquely different lower extremity power training interventions on changes in muscle power, physical performance, neuromuscular activation, and muscle cross sectional area in mobility-limited older adults. METHODS: Fifty-two subjects (78±5 years, short physical performance battery score: 8.1±1) were randomized to either 16 weeks of progressive high velocity resistance training performed at low external resistance (40% of the 1-repetition maximum [1-RM] [LO]) or high external resistance (70% of 1RM [HI]). Both groups completed three sets of leg and knee extension exercises at maximum voluntary velocity, two times per week. Neuromuscular activation was assessed using surface electromyography and muscle cross sectional area (CSA) was measured using computed tomography. RESULTS: At 16 weeks, LO and HI exhibited significant and similar within-group increases of leg extensor peak power (~34% vs ~42%), strength (~13% vs ~19%), and SPPB score (1.4±0.3 vs 1.8±0.3 units), respectively (all P < .03). Improvements in neuromuscular activation occurred in LO (P = .03) while small gains in mid-thigh muscle CSA were detected in LO (1.6%, P = .35) and HI (2.1%, P = .17). No significant between-group differences were evident for any measured parameters (all P > .25). CONCLUSIONS: High velocity resistance training with low external resistance yields similar improvements in muscle power and physical performance compared to training with high external resistance in mobility-limited elders. These findings may have important implications for optimizing exercise interventions for older adults with mobility limitations.
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Multiple studies support the utility of both TRT and HVPT for improving functional performance in older adults.
“While multiple studies support the utility of both TRT and HVPT for improving functional performance in older adults, 29,34 -40 the relative effect of each training modality on functional performance is likely to be task speci fi c. 41”
From High-velocity power training has similar effects to traditional resistance training for functional performance in older adults: a systematic review (2023) · cites this paper as [40]
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- Authors
- Reid, K. F., Martin, K. I., Doros, G., Clark, D. J., Hau, C., Patten, C., Phillips, E. M., Frontera, W. R., & Fielding, R. A.
- Affiliations
- Tufts University (US)
- Boston University (US)
- University of Florida (US)
- University of Florida Health (US)
- Harvard University (US)
- ORCID
- Venue
- The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2014-09-08
- Volume
- 70
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 374-380
- ISSN
- 1079-5006 (ISSN-L)
- 1758-535X
- PMC
- PMC4351393
- OpenAlex
- W2125326148
- Cited by
- 146
- References
- 9
- Citations by year
- 2026: 10 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 13
- FWCI
- 12.14
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- The Journals of Gerontology Series A (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (5p30ag031679-15)
- National Institute on Aging (1 P30 AG031679, AG18844, P30-AG031679, R01AG018844, P30AG028740)
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (R24HD065688)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Nutrition and Health in Aging
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation › Balance, Gait, and Falls Prevention
- Keywords
- resistance training, leg power, muscle power, physical performance, neuromuscular activation, muscle cross-sectional area, leg extensors, knee extension
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Electromyography, Female, Humans, Isometric Contraction, Male, Tomography, X-Ray Computed, Single-Blind Method, Lower Extremity, Mobility Limitation, Quadriceps Muscle, Muscle Strength, Resistance Training
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