Knowledge and Attitudes to Recovery from Resistance Exercise in Older Adults at Risk of Sarcopenia

Abstract

Background: Resistance exercise can improve muscle strength and physical performance in older adults and is recommended as a first-line treatment for sarcopenia. There is a growing interest surrounding the exercise recovery process in older adults, and many studies are now seeking to characterise the acute physiological side-effects of exercise1, and identify interventions to expedite recovery in ageing populations. However, we are unaware of any literature that has sought to define the perspectives of older adults, or determine their knowledge of, exercise induced muscle damage and recovery. To inform the direction of future research, it is important that researchers and practitioners alike understand what exercise recovery means to older adults regarding barriers and motivators to participation, willingness to train, and the acceptability of exercise recovery interventions. Aims: • To understand the knowledge and attitudes to recovery from resistance exercise in older adults at risk of sarcopenia • To explore how muscle soreness may affect participation in subsequent exercise bouts Results: 1. 93 % of respondents said they would expect muscle soreness in the days following intense exercise. However, this was often associated with doing ‘too much’, and was viewed negatively. 2. A general misunderstanding of muscle damage and muscle soreness was identified in our participants. 3. 152/291 (52 %) of respondents said that they would be discouraged to at least some extent from completing their usual daily activities if they were experiencing muscle soreness 4. 195/281 (67 %) of respondents said they would be discouraged from completing further exercise until their muscle soreness had subsided. Conclusion: • The ageing population may have poor knowledge of the exercise recovery process. There is a need to educate older adults on the expected short-term effects of resistance exercise. • Reassurance that muscle damage and soreness are not due to incorrect exercise practices, but a normal component of the training process, may help to support ongoing engagement in resistance exercise programmes.