Effects of a sixteen-weeks High-Speed Resistance Training program on physical function in community-dwelling independent older adults

Abstract

This study examined the effects of a sixteen-week high-speed resistance training (HSRT) on physical function in community-dwelling independent older adults. Seventy-four independent older adults (age, 69.17±4.53y; body mass index, 28.10±4.66 kg/m²) voluntarily participated in the study. Participants were divided into two groups, intervention group (IG) [N=37] and control group (CG) [N=37]. The IG performed the HSRT with three sessions per week, each session of 50-60 min being comprised of five-six exercises, two-three sets, and six–ten reps/exercise. The intensity was gradually increased after each session in accordance with the concentric movement velocity (>1.3 to 0.75 m/s) representing approximately 20% to 60% of one repetition maximum. IG executed the exercises as quickly as possible in the concentric phase while the eccentric phase was controlled to last between 2 to 3sec. The velocity was monitored through a BEAST™ sensor. CG maintained activities of daily living controlled by the application of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Outcomes were assessed through the handgrip test (both sides) and functional fitness tests (30s chair‐stand; timed-up & go [TUG] test; seated medicine ball throw test [SMBTT]; and 6 min-walking test [6MWT]. After the intervention period, IG showed improvements on 30s chair‐stand (p<0.001; Effect Size (ES)=2.58 [1.96, 3.29]); TUG test (p<0.001; ES=-1.71 [-2.20, -1.28]); SMBTT (p<0.001; ES=0.76 [0.53, 1.00]); 6MWT (p<0.001; ES=0.89 [0.59, 1.23]); handgrip test on the dominant (p<0.001; ES=0.66 [0.45, 0.89]); and non-dominant side (p<0.001; ES=0.66 [0.44, 0.84]). While the CG exhibited a significant decrease in performance across all outcomes, except for SMBTT and handgrip test on the non-dominant side, where no significant differences were observed. The results suggest that the HSRT is an effective and safe exercise approach to improve physical function in older adults.