Ageing, Muscle Power and Physical Function: A Systematic Review and Implications for Pragmatic Training Interventions.

BACKGROUND: The physiological impairments most strongly associated with functional performance in older people are logically the most efficient therapeutic targets for exercise training interventions aimed at improving function and maintaining independence in later life. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this review were to (1) systematically review the relationship between muscle power and functional performance in older people; (2) systematically review the effect of power training (PT) interventions on functional performance in older people; and (3) identify components of successful PT interventions relevant to pragmatic trials by scoping the literature. METHODS: Our approach involved three stages. First, we systematically reviewed evidence on the relationship between muscle power, muscle strength and functional performance and, second, we systematically reviewed PT intervention studies that included both muscle power and at least one index of functional performance as outcome measures. Finally, taking a strong pragmatic perspective, we conducted a scoping review of the PT evidence to identify the successful components of training interventions needed to provide a minimally effective training dose to improve physical function. RESULTS: Evidence from 44 studies revealed a positive association between muscle power and indices of physical function, and that muscle power is a marginally superior predictor of functional performance than muscle strength. Nine studies revealed maximal angular velocity of movement, an important component of muscle power, to be positively associated with functional performance and a better predictor of functional performance than muscle strength. We identified 31 PT studies, characterised by small sample sizes and incomplete reporting of interventions, resulting in less than one-in-five studies judged as having a low risk of bias. Thirteen studies compared traditional resistance training with PT, with ten studies reporting the superiority of PT for either muscle power or functional performance. Further studies demonstrated the efficacy of various methods of resistance and functional task PT on muscle power and functional performance, including low-load PT and low-volume interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Maximal intended movement velocity, low training load, simple training methods, low-volume training and low-frequency training were revealed as components offering potential for the development of a pragmatic intervention. Additionally, the research area is dominated by short-term interventions producing short-term gains with little consideration of the long-term maintenance of functional performance. We believe the area would benefit from larger and higher-quality studies and consideration of optimal long-term strategies to develop and maintain muscle power and physical function over years rather than weeks

Physical activity in older age: perspectives for healthy ageing and frailty.

Regular physical activity helps to improve physical and mental functions as well as reverse some effects of chronic disease to keep older people mobile and independent. Despite the highly publicised benefits of physical activity, the overwhelming majority of older people in the United Kingdom do not meet the minimum physical activity levels needed to maintain health. The sedentary lifestyles that predominate in older age results in premature onset of ill health, disease and frailty. Local authorities have a responsibility to promote physical activity amongst older people, but knowing how to stimulate regular activity at the population-level is challenging. The physiological rationale for physical activity, risks of adverse events, societal and psychological factors are discussed with a view to inform public health initiatives for the relatively healthy older person as well as those with physical frailty. The evidence shows that regular physical activity is safe for healthy and for frail older people and the risks of developing major cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, obesity, falls, cognitive impairments, osteoporosis and muscular weakness are decreased by regularly completing activities ranging from low intensity walking through to more vigorous sports and resistance exercises. Yet, participation in physical activities remains low amongst older adults, particularly those living in less affluent areas. Older people may be encouraged to increase their activities if influenced by clinicians, family or friends, keeping costs low and enjoyment high, facilitating group-based activities and raising self-efficacy for exercise

Efeitos dos exercícios resistidos sobre o equilíbrio e a funcionalidade de idosos saudáveis: artigo de atualização Effects of resistance training on balance and functional ability in healthy elderly: an update

A diminuição da força muscular com o envelhecimento e os baixos níveis de atividade física contribuem para défices funcionais e de equilíbrio. Esta revisão sistemática teve como objetivo analisar os estudos que correlacionaram o treino resistido (TR) isolado, o equilíbrio e a função de idosos saudáveis. A busca nas bases do Google Acadêmico e na BVS levou à seleção de 35 estudos controlados. O TR isolado mostrou ser relevante para a função dos idosos (90% dos estudos) devido sobretudo ao ganho de força e mobilidade. Exercícios de baixa e moderada intensidade tiveram melhores resultados sobre a função de idosas, frágeis e sedentários. Em relação ao equilíbrio, apesar da inconsistência dos dados, o TR parece exercer efeitos positivos, sobretudo devido a fatores neuromusculares. Estudos com parâmetros de treino e amostra uniformes são necessários para melhor comparação dos resultados, sobretudo em idosos com padrão funcional elevado.<br>Muscle strength decrease in aging and low physical activity levels may be an indicator of balance deficits and functional limitations. The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the effects of resistance training (RT) alone on balance performance and functional capacity in healthy elderly. The search in Google Scholar and BVS led to selecting 35 controlled trials. The RT alone showed to have positive effects (90% of the studies) on functional tasks in elderly, associated with increases in strength and mobility. Moderate and low-intensity exercise could produce functional capacity benefits in older women, frail and sedentary elderly. Despite the inconsistency of data, resistance training appears to exert positive effects on balance, especially through neuromuscular factors. Standardization of methodology and homogeneity of sampling may ensure greater comparability of results, especially among elderly with high physical functional level