Staying Strong Together: Older People Engaging in Resistance Training With a Peer

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Paige Watkins ◽  
Anne-Marie Hill ◽  
Ian K. Thaver ◽  
Elissa Burton
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Resistance Training ◽  
Older People ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Resistance Training Program ◽  
Retirement Village ◽  
Semistructured Interviews

The aim of this qualitative exploratory study was to investigate older adults’ perceptions of having a peer to encourage their participation in resistance training. The participants were recruited from a retirement village to undergo a 6-week resistance training program. Some participants attended a center; others participated in their home. Data were collected via semistructured interviews and analyzed thematically using a six-phase framework to obtain the participants’ perspectives about the peer support they received. The participants (n = 21) had divergent views about peer support, with some finding it enabling, while others did not find it helpful. Overall, the participants suggested that peer support could be beneficial if offered as a choice. Further research is needed to determine whether peer support assists in sustaining resistance training engagement among older adults when the aspect of choice is included.

Effects of a 6-Week Resistance-Training Program on Functional Fitness of Older Adults

2002 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 443-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinicius Cavani ◽  
Constance M. Mier ◽  
Anthony A. Musto ◽  
Nanette Tummers
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Resistance Training ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Functional Fitness ◽  
Resistance Training Program ◽  
Before And After

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 6 weeks of stretching and moderate-intensity resistance training on older adults’ functional fitness. Twenty-two older adults (69 ± 1 year) participated in a resistance-training program, and 15 (70 ± 4 years) participated in a control group. Training involved 3 sessions per week, each consisting of 1 set of 12–15 repetitions of lower and upper body exercises on resistance machines. Before sessions, participants performed 20 min of stretching exercises. A recently developed test battery (Rikli & Jones, 1999) to assess the physical parameters associated with independent functioning in older adults was performed before and after training. The combined stretching and resistance exercise resulted in significant (p≤ .008) improvements on all the functional tests except the 6-min walk. The results indicate that moderate-intensity resistance training in conjunction with stretching can improve functional fitness in older adults, enabling them to more easily perform activities of daily living.

Efficacy of an 8-Week Resistance Training Program in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Breanne S. Baker ◽  
Kelsey J. Weitzel ◽  
Lisa A. Royse ◽  
Kristin Miller ◽  
Trent M. Guess ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Resistance Training ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Analysis Of Variance ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Resistance Training Program ◽  
Exercise Interventions ◽  
Training Interventions ◽  
Positive Effects

Older adults are challenged with aging-related declines in skeletal muscle mass and function. Although exercise interventions of longer duration typically yield larger changes, shorter-term interventions may kick-start positive effects, allowing participants to begin engaging in more activity. This study aimed to determine whether 8 weeks of a resistance training program (Stay Strong, Stay Healthy [SSSH]) improved dynamic muscle strength, balance, flexibility, and sleep. Inactive adults aged ≥60 years were randomized into SSSH (n = 15), walking (WALK; n = 17), or control (CON; n = 14) groups. The SSSH and WALK groups met 2 times per week for 60 min. The participants completed pre/post general health, activity, and sleep questionnaires; DXA scans; and functional tasks. One-way repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance was used to determine interactions and decomposed using repeated-measures analysis of variance. SSSH improved sit-to-stand performance, back scratch distance, and sleep quality and reported more auxiliary physical activity than WALK or CON (p < .05). Resistance training interventions in sedentary older adults can improve physical function and encourage additional activity in 8 weeks.

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