Finally , muscle power testing was found to be safe in older people with a broad range of health and functional states
Background Muscle power has been proposed to be the primary therapeutic target for resistance training interventions aim ed at enhancing physical function in older adults .
However , no recommendations exist on ideal testing protocol s to assess muscle power in older adults , and the safety of this procedure has not been adequately evaluated in the literature .
Methods A systematic review was conducted to identify studies evaluating muscle power exerted by older people in resistance exercises through May 2017 .
Velocity training induces power-specific adaptations in highly functioning older adults.
OBJECTIVE To test the efficacy of high-velocity training in healthy older persons . DESIGN A 12-week r and omized trial , with subjects blocked for gender and residence , comparing high-velocity resistance training with a self-paced walking program . SETTING Retirement community . PARTICIPANTS Forty-three volunteers over the age of 70 years . INTERVENTION Power group : high-velocity leg exercises 3 times weekly with weekly increases in resistance combined with 45 minutes of moderate , nonresistance exercise weekly . Walking group : moderate intensity exercise 30 minutes daily , 6 days weekly . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Variables measured included leg press peak power and leg extensor strength . Functional performance outcomes included : 6-minute walk distance , Short Physical Performance Battery , Physical Performance Test , and Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Health Survey . RESULTS Peak power improved 22 % ( p = .004 ) in the power group ( 3.7 + /- 1.0 W/kg to 4.5 + /- 1.4 W/kg ) but did not change in the walking group ( 3.99 + /-.76 W/kg to 3.65 + /-.94 W/kg ) . Leg extensor power at resistance of 50 % , 60 % , and 70 % of body weight increased 50 % , 77 % , and 141 % , respectively , in the power group ( p < .0001 , repeated- measures analysis of variance ) . Strength improved 22 % in the power-trained individuals and 12 % in the walkers ( p < .0001 ) . Training did not improve functional task performance in either group . One subject developed a radiculopathy during training . CONCLUSIONS Resistance training focusing on speed of movement improved leg power and maximal strength substantially , but did not improve functional performance in healthy high-functioning older volunteers
Finally , muscle power testing was found to be safe in older people with a broad range of health and functional states
Background Muscle power has been proposed to be the primary therapeutic target for resistance training interventions aim ed at enhancing physical function in older adults .
However , no recommendations exist on ideal testing protocol s to assess muscle power in older adults , and the safety of this procedure has not been adequately evaluated in the literature .
Methods A systematic review was conducted to identify studies evaluating muscle power exerted by older people in resistance exercises through May 2017 .