Effect of Dynamic Eccentric Leg Exercise Training on Functional Fitness and Arterial Stiffness in Older Adults

Abstract

Eccentric exercise is shown to offer musculoskeletal benefits in multiple populations, but little is known about the effect of chronic dynamic eccentric exercise training in older adults concerning functional physical fitness and cardiovascular health. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if twelve weeks of dynamic eccentric leg exercise (Eccentron) could improve functional fitness and reduce arterial stiffness. Thirteen older adults (ages 65–79 years; M = 70±1) performed dynamic eccentric leg exercise twice per week at a light to somewhat hard rating of perceived exertion. Exercise duration increased from five minutes per session in the first week to 25 minutes per session during the final week. Timed up and go test significantly improved from pre‐ to post‐training (5.7±0.2 vs. 5.3±0.1 s; p<0.05). Likewise, Berg Balance Score was statistically (p<0.05) improved from pre‐ to post‐training. Participants demonstrated non‐significant increases in single‐leg knee extensor strength (43.0±2.6 vs. 45.2±2.8 kg; p=0.26). Aortic arterial stiffness, assessed via carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity, did not change from pre‐ to post‐eccentric exercise training (8.6±0.7 vs. 9.2±0.5 m/s; p=0.44). Similarly, leg arterial stiffness, assessed as femoral to dorsalis pedis pulse wave velocity, was unchanged (9.9±0.8 vs. 9.2±0.5 m/s; p=0.31). Our results demonstrate how 12‐weeks of eccentric training can positively influence functional physical fitness measures in older adults without a negative influence on arterial stiffness. Significant improvements in timed up and go and the Berg Balance Score, and non‐significant increases in leg extensor strength, suggests that older adults could improve their agility and balance, and reduce their risk of falling through eccentric leg exercise.Support or Funding InformationSupported by the Portage Health Foundation and Michigan Tech Research Excellence Fund.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.