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 .
Age- and gender-related test performance in community-dwelling elderly people: Six-Minute Walk Test, Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up & Go Test, and gait speeds.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The interpretation of patient scores on clinical tests of physical mobility is limited by a lack of data describing the range of performance among people without disabilities . The purpose of this study was to provide data for 4 common clinical tests in a sample of community-dwelling older adults . SUBJECTS Ninety-six community-dwelling elderly people ( 61 - 89 years of age ) with independent functioning performed 4 clinical tests . METHODS Data were collected on the  Six-Minute Walk Test ( 6MW ) , Berg Balance Scale ( BBS ) , and Timed Up & Go Test ( TUG ) and during comfortable- and fast-speed walking ( CGS and FGS ) . Intraclass correlation coefficients ( ICCs ) were used to determine the test-retest reliability for the 6MW , TUG , CGS , and FGS measurements . Data were analyzed by gender and age ( 60 - 69 , 70 - 79 , and 80 - 89 years ) cohorts , similar to previous studies . Means , st and ard deviations , and 95 % confidence intervals for each measurement were calculated for each cohort . RESULTS The 6MW , TUG , CGS , and FGS measurements showed high test-retest reliability ( ICC [2,1]=.95-.97 ) . Mean test scores showed a trend of age-related declines for the 6MW , BBS , TUG , CGS , and FGS for both male and female subjects . DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Preliminary descriptive data suggest that physical therapists should use age-related data when interpreting patient data obtained for the 6MW , BBS , TUG , CGS and FGS . Further data on these clinical tests with larger sample sizes are needed to serve as a reference for patient comparisons
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 .