High-Velocity versus Conventional Resistance Training in Older Adults

Abstract

Current evidence supports resistance training for older adults as a strategy to enhance muscle strength and physical performance, although the most effective program remains unclear. Additionally, given the older adults susceptibility to extended training interruptions, the loss of training derived benefits need to be minimized. PURPOSE: To compare the effects of high-velocity versus conventional resistance training on muscle strength and physical performance in older adults following training, detraining and retraining. METHODS: Twenty-seven healthy community-dwelling adults aged 65–84 yrs completed a 60-wk intervention (training 24 wks, detraining 24 wks, retraining 12 wks). Subjects were randomised into either high-velocity varied-resistance (HV) training (n = 15) which comprised of 1 set each at 45, 60, 75%1RM for 8 repetitions, aimed at enhancing muscle power, or to a moderate-velocity constant-resistance (CT) training (n = 12), who undertook 3 sets at 75%1RM for 8 repetitions. Subjects trained twice weekly for 3 upper- and 3 lower-body exercises. Muscle strength was assessed using 1RM, body composition by DXA, and physical performance by a battery of tests (usual and fast 6-m walk, 6-m backwards walk, repeated chair-rise, stair climb, functional reach, floor-rise to standing and 400-m walk). RESULTS: During the initial training period the upper- and lower-body muscle strength increased by 51.7 ± 5.9% (mean ± SE) and 50.l ± 4.2% for the HV group, and 44.1 ± 4.1 % and 51.9 ± 4.0% for the CT group, respectively. Increased strength in both groups was accompanied by an improvement in selected physical performance tasks (p <0.05), as well as an increase in lean mass and decrease in % fat (p <0.05). With detraining, HV and CT experienced a reduction in strength (19.0 ± 1.6% and 16.8 ± 1.1% HV, and 12.1 ± 1.5% and 14.2 ± 1.2% CT, upper-and lower-body, respectively) and a significant change in physical performance (p <0.05) however, all strength losses were recouped with retraining. There were no significant between group differences for any measure during the study. CONCLUSION: Both training programs resulted in similar benefits for the older adult and the losses in muscle and physical function associated with prolonged detraining were regained through short-term retraining. However, the benefits achieved by the HV group occurred through less total work and may have important implications for exercise prescription in the elderly.