Strength and power training did not modify cardiovascular responses to aerobic exercise in elderly subjects

Resistance training increases muscle strength in older adults, decreasing the effort necessary for executing physical tasks, and reducing cardiovascular load during exercise. This hypothesis has been confirmed during strength-based activities, but not during aerobic-based activities. This study determined whether different resistance training regimens, strength training (ST, constant movement velocity) or power training (PT, concentric phase performed as fast as possible) can blunt the increase in cardiovascular load during an aerobic stimulus. Older adults (63.9 ± 0.7 years) were randomly allocated to: control (N = 11), ST (N = 13, twice a week, 70-90% 1-RM) and PT (N = 15, twice a week, 30-50% 1-RM) groups. Before and after 16 weeks, oxygen uptake (VO2), systolic blood pressure (SBP), heart rate (HR), and rate pressure product (RPP) were measured during a maximal treadmill test. Resting SBP and RPP were similarly reduced in all groups (combined data = -5.7 ± 1.2 and -5.0 ± 1.7%, respectively, P < 0.05). Maximal SBP, HR and RPP did not change. The increase in measured VO2, HR and RPP for the increment in estimated VO2 (absolute load) decreased similarly in all groups (combined data = -9.1 ± 2.6, -14.1 ± 3.9, -14.2 ± 3.0%, respectively, P < 0.05), while the increments in the cardiovascular variables for the increase in measured VO2 did not change. In elderly subjects, ST and PT did not blunt submaximal or maximal HR, SBP and RPP increases during the maximal exercise test, showing that they did not reduce cardiovascular stress during aerobic tasks.Universidade de São Paulo Escola de Educação Física e Esporte Laboratório de Hemodinâmica da Atividade MotoraUniversidade de São Paulo Escola de Educação Física e Esporte Laboratório de Adaptação Neuromuscular ao Treinamento de ForçaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Centro de Estudos em Psicobiologia e ExercícioUNIFESP, Centro de Estudos em Psicobiologia e ExercícioSciEL

Comparison between strength and power training on neural, morphological and functional adaptations in the elderly

Apesar das perdas provocadas pela sarcopenia, o sistema neuromuscular do idoso ainda mantém parte da sua plasticidade. No entanto, as adaptações promovidas pelos treinamentos de força (TF) e de potência (TP) não foram totalmente elucidadas, assim como se existem diferenças entre essas adaptações nessa população. Para responder tais questões, 43 idosos (63,8 ± 4,0 anos; 67,2 ±13,4kg e 160,2 ±8,4cm), inexperientes em treinamento com pesos e independentes participaram desse estudo. Os voluntários foram distribuídos em três grupos: GF (n= 14; 70 a 90% de 1RM), GP (n= 16; 30 a 50% de 1RM) e GC (n= 13, não treinou). Durante 16 semanas o GF e o GP realizaram duas sessões de treino semanalmente. Os resultados significantes foram: aumento de 42,7% em GF e 33,8% em GP no teste de 1RM (leg press) e 31% em GF e 25,4% em GP (chest press); aumento de 6% em GF e 3,6% em GP na ASTq; aumento de 22,4% em GF e 17,1% em GP na CVIM e uma diminuição de 28% em GF e 32% em GP no REM. Não houve diferenças significativas entre GF e GP nas variáveis analisadas. Nenhum dos grupos apresentou aumento no sinal eletromiográfico nem na TDF. Não houve alteração significativa na funcionalidade. Portanto, ainda que com características distintas, o TF e o TP são similares em relação às adaptações analisadas, equiparando-se como estratégias de treinamento eficazes no combate à sarcopenia e seus efeitosIn spite of sarcopenia-induced losses, elderly peoples neuromuscular system keeps its plasticity. However, strength and power training-induced adaptations have not been completely elucidated. It also unknown if these adaptations are related to elderly functionality. Fourty three healthy and independent old men and women (63.8 ± 4.0 yrs; 67.2 ±13.4kg e 160.2 ±8.4cm) with no resistance training experience volunteered for this study. Participants were randomly distributed into three groups: GF (n= 14; 70 - 90%-1RM), GP (n= 16; 30 - 50%-1RM) e GC (n= 13, no training). GF and GP trained twice a week for 16 weeks. Leg-press (42.7% in GF and 33.8% in GP) and chest-press 1-RM (31% in GF and 25.4% in GP), quadriceps cross sectional area (6% in GF and 3.6% in GP), maximal voluntary isometric contraction (22.4% in GF and 17.1% in GP) were significantly increased in both groups. Electromechanical delay decreased 28% in GF and 32% in GP. There were no significant differences between groups. EMG and rate of force development did not change throughout the training period. Only main effect of time was observed for the functional tests. These results suggest that even with different characteristics, both strength and power training induce similar neuromuscular adaptations. Thus, both training regimens are equally effective in preventing and treating sarcopeni

Effects of strength and power training on neuromuscular variables in older adults

The purpose of this study was to compare the neuromuscular adaptations produced by strength-training (ST) and power-training (PT) regimens in older individuals. Participants were balanced by quadriceps cross-sectional area (CSA) and leg-press 1-repetition maximum and randomly assigned to an ST group (n = 14; 63.6 +/- 4.0 yr, 79.7 +/- 17.2 kg, and 163.9 +/- 9.8 cm), a PT group (n = 16; 64.9 +/- 3.9 yr. 63.9 +/- 11.9 kg, and 157.4 +/- 7.7 cm), or a control group (n = 13; 63.0 +/- 4.0 yr, 67.2 +/- 10.8 kg, and 159.8 +/- 6.8 cm). ST and PT were equally effective in increasing (a) maximum dynamic and isometric strength (p &lt; .05), (b) increasing quadriceps muscle CSA (p &lt; .05), and (c) decreasing electrical mechanical delay of the vastus lateralis muscle (p &lt; .05). There were no significant changes in neuromuscular activation after training. The novel finding of the current study is that PT seems to be an attractive alternative to regular ST to maintain and improve muscle mass.CNPqCNPq [303162/2008-2