Abstract

BackgroundReductions in muscle strength and poor balance may lead to mobility limitations in older age.AimsWe assessed the effects of long-term once-weekly strength and balance training (SBT) on muscle strength and physical functioning in a community-based sample of older adults.Methods182 individuals [130 women and 52 men, mean age 80 (SD ± 3.9) years] underwent supervised SBT as part of the Geriatric Multidisciplinary Strategy for the Good Care of the Elderly study. Training was offered once a week for 2.3 years. Isometric knee extension and flexion strength, chair rise, maximal walking speed, timed up and go (TUG) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were measured at baseline, after 2-year training and at post intervention follow-up. A linear mixed model was used to examine the change in physical functioning over time.ResultsDuring the intervention, both women (2.5 s, p < 0.001) and men (1.4 s, p = 0.013) improved their chair rise capacity. Women’s knee extension and flexion strength improved by 14.1 N (p = 0.003) and 16.3 N (p < 0.001), respectively. Their maximal walking speed also improved by 0.08 m/s (p < 0.001). In men, no changes in muscle strength or walking speed occurred during training or follow-up. No changes in BBS and TUG were observed at the end of the intervention, but decrease in BBS was observed at post-intervention follow-up in men.ConclusionsIn community-dwelling older adults with variety in health and functioning supervised strength and balance training once a week may help to prevent age-related decline in mobility and muscle strength.

Highlights

  • In old age, independent and safe mobility is an important factor for maintaining one’s quality of life and independence [1]

  • Women improved their maximal walking speed (p < 0.001) during the intervention and the improvement was maintained over the follow-up, while in men, maximal walking speed remained unchanged

  • timed up and go (TUG) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) performance did not change from the baseline level during the intervention

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Summary

Introduction

Independent and safe mobility is an important factor for maintaining one’s quality of life and independence [1]. Reductions in muscle strength and poor balance may lead to mobility limitations in older age. Aims We assessed the effects of long-term once-weekly strength and balance training (SBT) on muscle strength and physical functioning in a community-based sample of older adults. Isometric knee extension and flexion strength, chair rise, maximal walking speed, timed up and go (TUG) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were measured at baseline, after 2-year training and at post intervention follow-up. No changes in muscle strength or walking speed occurred during training or follow-up. Conclusions In community-dwelling older adults with variety in health and functioning supervised strength and balance training once a week may help to prevent age-related decline in mobility and muscle strength

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