## 4 Discussion  
The objective of this study was to examine the effects of a 32-week moderate-intensity continuous training (MCT) program on maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) in older women. Our main findings revealed that Group A exhibited greater improvements in most variables than Group B. Notably, in the present study, commencing the MCT program with aerobic exercises proved to be the most effective exercise intervention order for stimulating older women's KE MVIC. Enhancing KE strength is closely associated with maintaining a high level of functionality throughout life [32]. This improved strength contributes efficiently to muscle contractions during activities of daily living (ADLs), such as climbing stairs, using public transportation, and navigating obstacles while walking, reducing fatigue and the likelihood of falls [33; 34]. In contrast, the control group experienced significant and moderate effect size decreases in KE MVIC between the initial and second evaluation moments. These findings highlight the risks associated with prolonged periods of physical inactivity, including increased susceptibility to sarcopenia, frailty, and falls, which ultimately diminishes the quality of life for older individuals [35; 36]. Furthermore, in terms of KF MVIC, Group A demonstrated moderate effect size increases in all three evaluation moments compared to the control group. Conversely, Group B did not exhibit significant improvements in KF MVIC over time (\(p>0.05\)). Improving KF muscle strength is positively associated with walking speed [37] and static and dynamic balance [12] and inversely associated with the incidence of falls [38]. Moreover, evidence suggests a positive association between the agonist and antagonist muscles involved in knee movement for efficient walking and lower limb function during ADLs [38]. These findings underscore the importance of implementing interventions that are capable of improving both KF and KE strength in older individuals. In line with this, the MCT program performed by the older women in this MCT intervention stimulated improvements in both muscle groups, aligning with the perspective of synergistic muscle strength development. Conversely, the control group, as well as Group A and Group B, experienced significant and moderate effect size decreases in KF MVIC between the first and second evaluation moments. This decline is considered a negative factor for sarcopenia development and negatively impacts gait patterns, making it a noticeable characteristic in elderly individuals prone to falls [39; 40]. These results emphasize the importance of maintaining continuous physical activity to promote optimal well-being in older individuals [41]. In relation to elbow flexor (EF) MVC, we observed that only Group A exhibited significant improvements across all three evaluation moments compared to the control group (CG) and Group B. Furthermore, we found that Group A demonstrated a reduced effect size increase in EF MVC from M3 to M1, while Group B showed a significantly reduced effect size increase compared to the CG but only from M3 to M2. Interestingly, Group A consistently exhibited significantly greater EF MVC than Group B at the first and second evaluation moments, indicating that initiating the MCT program with aerobic exercises was more effective in stimulating improvements in EF strength in older women. Elbow flexor strength serves as a reliable indicator of the ability to efficiently perform multi-joint movements in daily activities, such as grasping and moving objects [42]. Despite not evaluating this specific variable, a possible adaptation recurring during strength gains is neural activation, which plays a role in the EF's contractile capacity, contributing to coordination during daily tasks [42]. Unlike the findings for knee extensor (KE) and knee flexor (KF) MVIC, we observed smaller effect sizes in EF MVC after the intervention.