Abstract
BackgroundThe current recommendations on resistance training involving older adults have reported an improvement of body composition variables. Despite this, there is a lack of knowledge on how elastic resistance training (ERT) affects the muscle mass in older adults population. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a short-term ERT on muscle mass of health and untrained older adults.MethodsForty older adults were randomized into two groups of 20 individuals each: Control Group (CG = 66.2 ± 6.6 years) and Training Group (TG = 69.1 ± 6.3 years). TG underwent an ERT twice a week during 8 weeks and control group did not receive any specific intervention. The primary outcome was the upper and lower limbs muscle mass, measured by Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. The secondary outcomes were knee isokinetic peak torque (PT) at 60°/s and 120°/s speeds and isometric handgrip strength. A 2×2 mixed model (group [TG and CG] × time [pre and post]) analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to determine the effect on primary and secondary outcomes.ResultsThe results of the ANOVA showed no significant effects in group x time interaction for (1) upper limbs fat free mass (F [1.38] = 1.80, p = 0.19, effect size [ES] = 0.1) and for (2) lower limbs fat free mass (F [1.38] = 0.03, p = 0.88, ES = 0.02). Regarding muscle strength, the ANOVA showed no significant effects in group x time interaction for (3) PT at 60°/s (F [1.38] = 0.33, p = 0.56, ES = 3.0), for (4) PT at 120°/s (F [1.38] = 0.80, p = 0.38, ES = 4.1) and for handgrip strength (F [1.38] = 0.65, p = 0.42-value, ES = 0.9). Analysis of PT in TG showed a significant change of 4.5 %, but only at 120°/s (p = 0.01) when comparing pre and post-training (time interaction).ConclusionsEight weeks of ERT did not show significant changes in muscle mass and strength of untrained older adults.Trial registrationNCT02253615 (09/25/14)
Highlights
The current recommendations on resistance training involving older adults have reported an improvement of body composition variables
Nine subjects (45 %) from training group (TG) reported adverse events: lateral epicondylitis (n = 1), plantar fasciitis (n = 1), low back pain (n = 2), lumbosciatalgia (n = 1), Knee pain (n = 1), hypertension (n = 1) and muscle pain (n = 2). These nine subjects were assessed as to if their clinical condition would implicate in decrease of motor control during the exercises
There were no statistical differences between groups at pre-training phase for age (p = 0.16), weight (p = 0.19), height (p = 0.31), BMI (p = 0.46) and IPAQ (p = 0.47)
Summary
The current recommendations on resistance training involving older adults have reported an improvement of body composition variables. The current recommendations on resistance training programs involving older adults have reported an improvement of muscle function and body composition variables These studies show that systematic use of weight resistance devices has improved muscle strength and power, functional skills and muscle mass [1, 8,9,10,11,12,13]. Some untrained elderly with joint dysfunction or in physical therapy treatment may not lift the necessary weight to produce positive muscle adaptation, due to pain experience and or decrease in motor control (dynamic instability) [14] This type of training with free-weights or weight machines typically found in gyms and health clubs are common among young adults, older adults may not have as easy access to this equipment due to lack of facilities or financial resources [15]. Regarding the effects of elastic resistance training, Colado et al [17] demonstrated, in postmenopausal females, similar outcomes (functional capacity, vertical jump, isometric strength) when compared with traditional machine weight exercise programs
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