Power Training Versus Strength Training in the Elderly

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The inexorable decline in motor skills during aging provides the investigators with an elderly population with various functional limitations. Among these, the ability to walk, being associated with the risk of falling has been studied by several authors. The adoption of strength and power training as an intervention strategy to reduce the negative effects arising from the physiological or pathological process of aging has been widely discussed in these studies. However, the effects of these interventions on biomechanical gait indicators have not been fully debated yet. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effects of these two training protocols on functional capacities and biomechanical gait parameters of elderly women.

Detailed Description
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Three female groups, homogenized by age, body mass index and physical activity level, were formed: the control group (GC: n=8, 69±4 years old), the strength training group (GF: n=6, 67±4 years old) and the power training group (GP, n=7, 68±4 years old). No extra activity was induced to GC's routine. Meanwhile, GF and GP underwent 12 weeks of strength and power training, respectively, with three weekly sessions. While GF performed the exercises with moderate speed (70-90% of 1RM), the GP executed them in fast speed (40-60% of 1RM). A kinematic and electromyographic gait evaluation, as well as balance and functional capacity evaluations, were conducted prior and after the intervention period.

Official Title
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Biomechanical Gait Indicators of Elderly Women in Response to Strength Training or Power Training

Conditions
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Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Power Training
* Other: Strength Training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: sedentary women with no physical mobility limitations Exclusion Criteria: attending less than 75% of the intervention sessions and not attending the final evaluation

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 65 Years
Maximum Age: 75 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Power Training Group<br>Physical exercises. Strength training performed quickly | Other: Power Training<br>* This experimental groups underwent an intervention period of power training<br>|
| Experimental: Strength Training Group<br>Physical exercises. Strength training performed in moderate speed | Other: Strength Training<br>* This experimental groups underwent an intervention period of strength training<br>|
| No Intervention: Control Group<br>This group maintained the same physical activity level during the intervention period. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gait kinematics | toe clearance: minimum vertical distance of the forefoot and the ground during swing phase | through study completion, an average of 6 months | 
| Timed up and go test | time needed to get up from a seated position walk 3 meters and walk back to the chair | through study completion, an average of 6 months | 
| Muscle power | knee extensors muscle power | through study completion, an average of 6 months | 
| electromyography gait analysis | Knee extensors and flexors muscles co-contraction during the gait cycle | through study completion, an average of 6 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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elderly, strength training, power training, functional capacity, gait biomechanics