INFLUENCE OF RESISTANCE TRAINING ON FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY OF OLDER INDIVIDUALS

Abstract

Chair rising and stair climbing are important factors required to maintain an independent lifestyle. Lack of muscular strength and endurance can contribute to an inability to perform these and other everyday tasks, especially in older individuals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of resistance training on functional performance (chair and stair tests) in subjects with and without preexisting functional impairment (as evidenced by chair rise performance). 11 subjects (74 ± 7 years) with functional impairment (FI) and 5 subjects (66.7 ± 2.7 years) without impairment (WI) performed resistance training 2 days a week for 8 weeks. Training consisted of 2 sets of 10–15 repetitions of leg extension, bench press, roman chair, leg press, shoulder press, bicep curl, and stretch machines. Training weights were increased when 15 repetitions were achieved. A control (C) group (n = 5, 65 ± 4.3 years) did not train. All subjects were assessed for leg, lumbar and upper body strength, chair rise (categorical score and time), stair ascend and descend (time), functional reach, and balance (stork stand). Chair rise score (1 = no trouble) improved in the FI group from 2.09 to 1.63 (p < 0.05) but did not change in the WI or C groups. Leg extension torque increased 30% (p < 0.05) in the FI group but not in the WI or C groups. Functional reach and stair descend time increased by 1.77 inches and decreased 0.53 seconds, respectively (p < 0.05) in the FI group. Other tests revealed no significant time or group effects. Overall, these data suggest that even 16 training sessions can improve functional ability in older individuals with preexisting functional impairments.