Prescription of the Functional Strength Training for Older People: A Brief Review

Abstract

Aging is associated with a variety of multisystem changes that influence decreased neuromuscular fitness levels. Such losses decrease physiological resilience and increase vulnerability to chronic diseases. As such, treatment strategies are necessary for health promotion and well-being in older people. Seeking to meet this need, functional strength training is an intervention often used to improve muscle strength and morphology. However, evidence-based doseresponse relationships with key physical training variables (e.g. intensity, volume, speed of movement, frequency and adhesion strategies) are unclear in the scientific literature. Thus, the purpose of this update is to provide an overview of current investigations and to suggest recommendations for the application of functional strength training to elderly. Taking into consideration the conditions of analysis, it may be suggested that a properly designed training program for the elderly should include a functional approach, working with two to three sets in one to two exercises per muscle group, reaching intensities of 70%-85% of one repetition maximum in body movements that resemble daily activities, 2 to 3 weekly sessions, including strength exercises performed at maximum concentric speed also with moderate intensities (40%-60% of one repetition maximum) and having as a basic premise neuromuscular adaptations.