Effects of a Six-Week Progressive Resistance Training Program on Functional Fitness among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract

Research has indicated that older adult participation in resistance training provides foundational strength for performance of activities of daily living. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a six-week progressive resistance training intervention on functional fitness among community-dwelling older adults. From 2010–2015, twelve sessions of a six-week resistance training intervention included 95 community-dwelling older adult participants (37 male, 58 female; Mage=73.5+7.2). Resistance training interventions included bi-weekly, 1-hour sessions targeting all muscle groups. Assessments included arm curl, chair stand, back scratch, chair sit-n-reach, 2-minute step test, and 8 foot-up-and-go. The Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test was performed to evaluate group differences between baseline and post-intervention. Significant differences between pre- and post-assessments were found for upper- and lower-body strength (z=6.81, p< .001; z=6.46, p< .001, respectively); upper- and lower-body flexibility (z=3.81, p< .001; z=4.85, p< .001, respectively), aerobic endurance (z=6.04, p< .001), and dynamic balance and agility (z=5.52, p< .001). The resistance training intervention resulted in significant improvements in functional fitness among community-dwelling older adult participants. Abbreviations: 1-RM, 1 Repetition Maximum