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 .
High impact exercise increased femoral neck bone mineral density in older men: a randomised unilateral intervention.
INTRODUCTION There is little evidence as to whether exercise can increase BMD in older men with no investigation of high impact exercise . Lifestyle changes and individual variability may confound exercise trials but can be minimised using a within-subject unilateral design ( exercise leg [ EL ] vs. control leg [ CL ] ) that has high statistical power . PURPOSE This study investigated the influence of a 12month high impact unilateral exercise intervention on femoral neck BMD  in older men . METHODS Fifty , healthy , community-dwelling older men commenced a 12month high impact unilateral exercise intervention which increased to 50 multidirectional hops , 7days a week on one r and omly allocated leg . BMD of both femurs was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry ( DXA ) before and after 12months of exercise , by an observer blind to the leg allocation . Repeated measures ANOVA with post hoc tests was used to detect significant effects of time , leg and interaction . RESULTS Thirty-five men ( mean±SD , age 69.9±4.0years ) exercised for 12months and intervention adherence was 90.5±9.1 % ( 304±31 sessions completed out of 336 prescribed sessions ) . Fourteen men did not complete the 12month exercise intervention  due to  : health problems or injuries unrelated to the intervention ( n=9 ) , time commitments ( n=2 ) , or discomfort during exercise ( n=3 ) , whilst BMD data were missing for one man . Femoral neck BMD , BMC and cross-sectional area all increased in the EL ( + 0.7 , + 0.9 and + 1.2 % respectively ) compared to the CL ( -0.9 , -0.4 and -1.2 % ) ; interaction effect P<0.05 . Although the interaction term was not significant ( P>0.05 ) , there were significant main effects of time for section modulus ( P=0.044 ) and minimum neck width ( P=0.006 ) . Section modulus increased significantly in the EL ( P=0.016 ) but not in the CL ( P=0.465 ) ; mean change + 2.3 % and + 0.7 % respectively , whereas minimum neck width increased significantly in the CL ( P=0.004 ) but not in the EL ( P=0.166 ) ; mean changes being + 0.7 % and + 0.3 % respectively . CONCLUSION A 12month high impact unilateral exercise intervention was feasible and effective for improving femoral neck BMD , BMC and geometry in older men . Carefully targeted high impact exercises may be suitable for incorporation into exercise interventions aim ed at preventing fractures in healthy community-dwelling older men
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 .