Tracking Strength Changes And Safety Using Omni Scale Rpe During Resistance Training In Older Adults

Abstract

It has been shown that the OMNI resistance exercise scale (OMNI-RES) is an effective method to track both absolute and relative strength increases in older adults. What is unclear however, is if the OMNI-RES tracks strength increases in consequent to training intended to minimize injury risk. PURPOSE: To: (1) use the OMNI-RES to track strength changes following a low-risk resistance training program and (2) examine the drop-out rate due to injury during a 12-week resistance exercise program guided by RPE in male and female hexagenarians. METHODS: Twenty-two men (64.3 + 3.2 yrs.) and 27 women (63.8 + 2.8 yrs.) volunteered. Subjects underwent orientation to determine a pre-training resistance associated with RPEs of 4, 5-6, 7-8 and 9. Training consisted of 8-12 repetitions (reps) with weights set at 75% of 1-RM three days a week for 12 weeks. Seven exercises: leg press, lat pull down, chest press, leg extension, leg curl, arm extension, and arm curl were performed. Participants were instructed to perform as many reps as possible but not to exceed 12 reps. When a participant achieved three sets of 12 reps on an exercise, the weight was increased to a level that allowed only 8 reps. Subjects then underwent a post-training assessment to again determine the resistance associated with the criterion RPEs. RESULTS: Subjects significantly increased strength in each of the seven exercises over the course of the 12-week resistance exercise program (p<.05). Resistance at each RPE was lower post- than pre-training (p<.05). Despite these significant increases in post-training 1-RMs, there were zero dropouts due to injury over the 12-week program. DISCUSSION: With the current increase in resistance exercise prescriptions for an aging population, it was important to establish a safe method to gauge exercise intensity. It appears that the OMNI-RES provides a safe and appropriate method for tracking increases in both absolute and relative strength in older adults.