Suspension Training: A New Approach to Improve Muscle Strength, Mass, and Functional Performances in Older Adults?

Abstract

After the fifth decade of life, the natural aging process leads to annual reductions of 1.5% and 1–2% in muscle strength and mass, respectively (Morley et al., 2014; Zembron-Łacny et al., 2014). Additionally, muscle power is also reduced by 3–4% annually in older subjects (Macaluso and De Vito, 2004). These changes in the neuromuscular system are associated with impairments in functional performance (e.g., motor performance, control, balance, and mobility), increasing morbidity and mortality risks (Frontera et al., 2008; Cruz-Jentoft et al., 2010; Morley et al., 2014; Marty et al., 2017; McGlory et al., 2019). Different resistance training (RT) modes have been proposed as effective interventions for enhancing muscle strength, mass, power, and functional performance in older adults [Chodzko-Zajko et al., 2009; American College of Sports Medicine position stand (ACSM), 2011]. However, less investigated RT modes also appear capable of optimizing these essential adaptations for older adults. Suspension training (ST) is a RT mode in which body segments are attached to suspended hanging straps, creating an unstable environment and using the body weight against gravity to perform multi-planar and multi-joint exercises (Byrne et al., 2014; Mok et al., 2015; Cugliari and Boccia, 2017). Interestingly, ST provides a progressive stimulus in the target muscles and a substantial activation in core muscles, suggesting it could be a promising RT mode to optimize muscle strength, mass, power, and functional performance (Mate-Munoz et al., 2014; Ma et al., 2017). The purpose of this manuscript is to provide rationale as to why ST could be a viable RT mode for increasing muscle strength, mass, power, and functional performance in older adults.