Abstract
The present study determined the effects of muscular endurance strength training on maximum strength and power, functional capacity, muscle activation and hypertrophy in older men and women. Eighty-one men and women acted as an intervention group while 22 acted as non-training controls (age range 64–75 y). Intervention training included super-sets (i.e., paired exercises, immediately performing the second exercises following completion of the first) with short rest intervals (30–60 s between sets) at an intensity of 50–60% one-repetition maximum (1-RM) for 15–20 repetitions. Concentric leg press actions measured maximum strength (1-RM) and concentric peak power. Functional capacity was assessed by maximum speed walking tests (i.e., forward walk, backward walk, timed-up-and-go, and stair climb tests). Quadriceps muscle activation was assessed by surface electromyogram and twitch interpolation technique. Vastus lateralis cross-sectional area was measured by panoramic ultrasound. Compared to control, the intervention groups increased maximum strength (1-RM; men: 10 ± 7% vs. 2 ± 3%, women: 14 ± 9% vs. 1 ± 6% both P < 0.01) and vastus lateralis cross-sectional area (men: 6 ± 7% vs. −3 ± 6%, women: 10 ± 10% vs. 0 ± 4% both P < 0.05). But there were no between-group differences in peak power, muscle activation or functional capacity (e.g., stair climb; men: −5 ± 7% vs. −4 ± 3%, women: −5 ± 6% vs. −2 ± 5% both P > 0.05). While benefits occurred during muscular endurance strength training, specific stimuli are probably needed to target all aspects of age-related health.
Highlights
Combating the age-associated loss of strength, power and muscle mass through strength training is of great importance to maintain functional capacity (Raj et al, 2010) and prevent certain diseases (e.g., Srikanthan and Karlamangla, 2011)
The present study demonstrated that training with moderateloads and short inter-set rest intervals, aimed to improve muscular endurance, was capable of increasing maximum strength and muscle mass of the knee extensors in previously untrained older men and women
This type of strength training did not enhance maximum concentric peak power, functional capacity or muscle activation, as measured by surface EMG and the twitch interpolation technique compared to the control group
Summary
Combating the age-associated loss of strength, power and muscle mass through strength training is of great importance to maintain functional capacity (Raj et al, 2010) and prevent certain diseases (e.g., Srikanthan and Karlamangla, 2011). There is emerging evidence that low-load strength training may be effective to high-load training in previously untrained older adults for gains in strength and muscle mass (Taaffe et al, 1996; Tanimoto and Ishii, 2006; Van Roie et al, 2013), which is reflected by results of a recent meta-analysis (Csapo and Alegre, 2016) Results of another metaanalysis suggest that improvements in systolic blood pressure and other markers of metabolic syndrome were more likely to be favorable when the training program included a higher total number of repetitions and was of longer duration (>10 weeks) (Strasser et al, 2010). These findings may indicate that a better overall impact (i.e., broader range of adaptations) may occur during strength training that is defined as muscular endurance strength training; i.e., moderate-loads (40–60% of maximum), ∼10–15 repetitions per sets and is characterized by very short inter-set rest periods (∼30–60 s; Clayton et al, 2015)
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