Conclusion Plyometric training is a feasible and safe training option with potential for improving various performance , functional , and health-related outcomes in older persons
Background The aging process is associated with a progressive decline of neuromuscular function , increased risk of falls and fractures , impaired functional performance , and loss of independence .
Plyometric training may mitigate or even reverse such age-related deterioration ; however , little research on the effects of plyometric exercises has been performed in older adults .
Objective The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of plyometric training in older adults .
Three-month bilateral hopping intervention is ineffective in initiating bone biomarker response in healthy elderly men
In animal studies , bone adaptation has been initiated successfully without the transient force spike associated with high impact exercises . Consequently , a 12-week bilateral hopping on the balls of the feet intervention was conducted . 25 elderly men ( age 72(SD4 ) years , height 171(6 ) cm , weight 75(9 ) kg ) were r and omly assigned into exercise and control groups . Ten subjects in each group completed the study .  Carboxyterminal propeptide of type I collagen ( CICP ) , bone-specific alkaline phosphatase ( bALP ) and carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen ( CTx ) were measured from venous blood sample s at baseline , at 2 weeks and at the end of the intervention . Maximal ground reaction force ( GRF ) , osteogenic index ( OI ) and jump height ( JH ) were determined from bilateral hopping test and balance was assessed with velocity of center of pressure ( COPvelocity ) while st and ing on the preferred leg with eyes open . The intervention consisted of 5–7 sets of 10 s timed bilateral hopping exercise at 75–90 % intensity three times/week . There was no significant group × time interaction for GRF , OI and JH ( P = 0.065 ) . GRF ( 11 % change from baseline vs. 4 % ) , OI ( 15 vs. 6 % ) and COPvelocity ( −10 vs. −1 % ) were not influenced by the intervention ( P > 0.170 ) , while the control group improved JH ( P = 0.031 ) ( 2 vs. 18 % ) . For the biomarkers , no effect was observed in MANOVA ( P = 0.536 ) or in univariate analyses ( P = 0.082 to P = 0.820 ) ( CICP −2 vs. −3 % , CTx 8 vs. −12 % , bALP 0 vs. −3.7 % ) . Allowing transient impact force spikes may be necessary to initiate a bone response in elderly men as the intervention was ineffective
Conclusion Plyometric training is a feasible and safe training option with potential for improving various performance , functional , and health-related outcomes in older persons
Background The aging process is associated with a progressive decline of neuromuscular function , increased risk of falls and fractures , impaired functional performance , and loss of independence .
Plyometric training may mitigate or even reverse such age-related deterioration ; however , little research on the effects of plyometric exercises has been performed in older adults .
Objective The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of plyometric training in older adults .