Upper Extremity Muscle Volumes and Functional Strength After Resistance Training in Older Adults

Aging leads to a decline in strength and an associated loss of independence. The authors examined changes in muscle volume, maximum isometric joint moment, functional strength, and 1-repetition maximum (1RM) after resistance training (RT) in the upper extremity of older adults. They evaluated isometric joint moment and muscle volume as predictors of functional strength. Sixteen healthy older adults (average age 75 ± 4.3 yr) were randomized to a 6-wk upper extremity RT program or control group. The RT group increased 1RM significantly (p< .01 for all exercises). Compared with controls, randomization to RT led to greater functional pulling strength (p= .003), isometric shoulder-adduction moment (p= .041), elbow-flexor volume (p= .017), and shoulder-adductor volume (p= .009). Shoulder-muscle volumes and isometric moments were good predictors of functional strength. The authors conclude that shoulder strength is an important factor for performing functional reaching and pulling tasks and a key target for upper extremity RT interventions.

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Effect of Power-Training Intensity on the Contribution of Force and Velocity to Peak Power in Older Adults

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.16.4.393 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 393-407 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Nathan J. de Vos ◽

Nalin A. Singh ◽

Dale A. Ross ◽

Theodora M. Stavrinos ◽

Rhonda Orr ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Resistance Training ◽

Peak Power ◽

Fat Free Mass ◽

Control Group ◽

Training Intensity ◽

Movement Velocity ◽

Healthy Older Adults ◽

High Intensity Training ◽

Relative Contribution

Objective:To determine the effect of training intensity on the contributions of force and velocity to improvements in peak power (PP) after explosive resistance training in older adults.Methods:112 healthy older adults (69 ± 6 yr) were randomized to explosive resistance training at 20% (G20), 50% (G50), or 80% (G80) maximal strength (1-repetition maximum) for 8–12 wk (twice weekly, 5 exercises, 3 sets of 8 explosive concentric/slow eccentric repetitions) using pneumatic resistance machines or a nontraining control group (CON).Results:Force at peak power (FPP) increased significantly and similarly among training groups compared with CON. Velocity at peak power (VPP) did not improve significantly and remained similar between all groups. Force contributed significantly more to PP production in G80 and G50 than in CON. The change in PP was independently predicted by changes in fat-free mass in G80 and by changes in both FPP and VPP in G50 and G20.Conclusion:Explosive resistance training in older adults results in the ability to produce higher PP outputs with heavier loads without loss of movement velocity. Moderate- to high-intensity training induced a greater relative contribution of force to PP production in this cohort.

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Muscles adaptation to aging and training: architectural changes – a randomised trial

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/s12877-020-02000-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Adrien J. Létocart ◽

Franck Mabesoone ◽

Fabrice Charleux ◽

Christian Couppé ◽

René B. Svensson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Resistance Training ◽

Young Men ◽

Cross Sectional Area ◽

Muscle Volume ◽

Triceps Surae ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Training Volume ◽

Sectional Area ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Repetition Maximum

Abstract Background To investigate how anatomical cross-sectional area and volume of quadriceps and triceps surae muscles were affected by ageing, and by resistance training in older and younger men, in vivo. Methods The old participants were randomly assigned to moderate (O55, n = 13) or high-load (O80, n = 14) resistance training intervention (12 weeks; 3 times/week) corresponding to 55% or 80% of one repetition maximum, respectively. Young men (Y55, n = 11) were assigned to the moderate-intensity strengthening exercise program. Each group received the exact same training volume on triceps surae and quadriceps group (Reps x Sets x Intensity). The fitting polynomial regression equations for each of anatomical cross-sectional area-muscle length curves were used to calculate muscle volume (contractile content) before and after 12 weeks using magnetic resonance imaging scans. Results Only Rectus femoris and medial gastrocnemius muscle showed a higher relative anatomical cross-sectional area in the young than the elderly on the proximal end. The old group displayed a higher absolute volume of non-contractile material than young men in triceps surae (+ 96%). After training, Y55, O55 and O80 showed an increase in total quadriceps (+ 4.3%; + 6.7%; 4.2% respectively) and triceps surae (+ 2.8%; + 7.5%; 4.3% respectively) volume. O55 demonstrated a greater increase on average gains compared to Y55, while no difference between O55 and O80 was observed. Conclusions Muscle loss with aging is region-specific for some muscles and uniform for others. Equivalent strength training volume at moderate or high intensities increased muscle volume with no differences in muscle volume gains for old men. These data suggest that physical exercise at moderate intensity (55 to 60% of one repetition maximum) can reverse the aging related loss of muscle mass. Trial registration NCT03079180 in ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration date: March 14, 2017.

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Physical Activity Level Following Resistance Training in Community-Dwelling Older Adults Receiving Home Care: Results from a Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18136682 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (13) ◽

pp. 6682

Author(s):

Hilde Bremseth Bårdstu ◽

Vidar Andersen ◽

Marius Steiro Fimland ◽

Lene Aasdahl ◽

Hilde Lohne-Seiler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Resistance Training ◽

Home Care ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Activity Level ◽

Group Differences ◽

Control Group ◽

Cluster Randomized ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Older adults’ physical activity (PA) is low. We examined whether eight months of resistance training increased PA level in community-dwelling older adults receiving home care. A two-armed cluster-randomized trial using parallel groups was conducted. The included participants were >70 years and received home care. The resistance training group performed resistance training using body weight, elastic bands, and water canes twice per week for eight months. The control group was informed about the national PA guidelines and received motivational talks. The ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer was used to estimate PA. Outcomes included total PA (counts per minute), sedentary behavior (min/day), light PA (min/day), moderate-to-vigorous PA (min/day), and steps (mean/day). Between-group differences were analyzed using multilevel linear mixed models. Twelve clusters were randomized to either resistance training (7 clusters, 60 participants) or the control group (5 clusters, 44 participants). A total of 101 participants (median age 86.0 (interquartile range 80–90) years) had valid accelerometer data and were included in the analysis. There were no statistically significant between-group differences for any of the PA outcomes after four or eight months. This study offers no evidence of increased PA level following resistance training in older adults with home care.

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Processing gender stereotypes in dementia patients and older healthy adults: a self-paced reading study

Linguistics Vanguard ◽

10.1515/lingvan-2018-0029 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 (s2) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Daniel Müller-Feldmeth ◽

Katharina Ahnefeld ◽

Adriana Hanulíková

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Young Adults ◽

Sentence Processing ◽

Gender Stereotypes ◽

Time Course ◽

Healthy Adults ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Older Adults ◽

Dementia Patients ◽

Age Related

AbstractWe used self-paced reading to examine whether stereotypical associations of verbs with women or men as prototypical agents (e.g. the craftsman knits a sweater) are activated during sentence processing in dementia patients and healthy older adults. Effects of stereotypical knowledge on language processing have frequently been observed in young adults, but little is known about age-related changes in the activation and integration of stereotypical information. While syntactic processing may remain intact, semantic capacities are often affected in dementia. Since inferences based on gender stereotypes draw on social and world knowledge, access to stereotype information may also be affected in dementia patients. Results from dementia patients (n = 9, average age 86.6) and healthy older adults (n = 14, average age 79.5) showed slower reading times and less accuracy in comprehension scores for dementia patients compared to the control group. While activation of stereotypical associations of verbs was visible in both groups, they differed with respect to the time-course of processing. The effect of stereotypes on comprehension accuracy was visible for healthy adults only. The evidence from reading times suggests that older adults with and without dementia engage stereotypical inferences during reading, which is in line with research on young adults.

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One-Year Follow-Up of Healthy Older Adults with Electroencephalographic Risk for Neurocognitive Disorder After Neurofeedback Training

Journal of Alzheimer s Disease ◽

10.3233/jad-215538 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-15

Author(s):

Graciela C. Alatorre-Cruz ◽

Thalía Fernández ◽

Susana A. Castro-Chavira ◽

Mauricio González-López ◽

Sergio M. Sánchez-Moguel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Theta Activity ◽

Control Group ◽

Global Changes ◽

Healthy Population ◽

Healthy Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Improvement ◽

One Year ◽

Experimental Group

Background: In healthy older adults, excess theta activity is an electroencephalographic (EEG) predictor of cognitive impairment. In a previous study, neurofeedback (NFB) treatment reinforcing reductions theta activity resulted in EEG reorganization and cognitive improvement. Objective: To explore the clinical applicability of this NFB treatment, the present study performed a 1-year follow-up to determine its lasting effects. Methods: Twenty seniors with excessive theta activity in their EEG were randomly assigned to the experimental or control group. The experimental group received an auditory reward when the theta absolute power (AP) was reduced. The control group received the reward randomly. Results: Both groups showed a significant decrease in theta activity at the training electrode. However, the EEG results showed that only the experimental group underwent global changes after treatment. These changes consisted of delta and theta decreases and beta increases. Although no changes were found in any group during the period between the posttreatment evaluation and follow-up, more pronounced theta decreases and beta increases were observed in the experimental group when the follow-up and pretreatment measures were compared. Executive functions showed a tendency to improve two months after treatment which became significant one year later. Conclusion: These results suggest that the EEG and behavioral benefits of this NFB treatment persist for at least one year, which adds up to the available evidence contributing to identifying factors that increase its efficacy level. The relevance of this study lies in its prophylactic features of addressing a clinically healthy population with EEG risk of cognitive decline.

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Effect of hypoxic conditioning on functional fitness, balance and fear of falling in healthy older adults: a randomized controlled trial

European Review of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1186/s11556-021-00279-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Rafael Timon ◽

Marta Camacho-Cardeñosa ◽

Adrián González-Custodio ◽

Guillermo Olcina ◽

Narcis Gusi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Fear Of Falling ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Training Group ◽

Training Programme ◽

Control Group ◽

Functional Fitness ◽

Healthy Older Adults ◽

Hypoxia Exposure ◽

Hypoxic Conditions

Abstract Background Hypoxic conditioning has been proposed as a new tool to mitigate the sarcopenia and enhance health-related function, but decrements in standing balance have been observed during hypoxia exposure. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a hypoxic conditioning training on functional fitness, balance and fear of falling in healthy older adults. Methods A total of 54 healthy older adults (aged 65–75 years), who voluntarily participated in the study, were randomly divided into three groups: the control group (CON), the normoxia training group (NT) that performed strength training in normoxia, and the hypoxia training group (HT) that trained under moderate hypoxic conditions at a simulated altitude of 2500 m asl. The training programme that was performed during 24 weeks was similar in both experimental groups and consisted of a full-body workout with elastic bands and kettlebells (three sets × 12–15 reps). The Senior Fitness Test (SFT), the Single Leg Stance test (SLS) and the Short Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) were assessed before and after the intervention. Results Results showed that after training, either in normoxia or in hypoxia, the participants increased upper and lower body strength, and the aerobic endurance, and decreased the fear of falling. Conclusions The moderate hypoxic conditioning seems to be a useful tool to increase the functional capacity in healthy older adults without observing a decline in balance. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04281264. Registered February 9, 2019-Retrospectively registered.

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Longitudinal impact and effects of booster sessions in a cognitive training program for healthy elderly

10.31234/osf.io/uqgdw ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Lucas Matias Felix ◽

Marcela Mansur Alves ◽

Mariana Teles ◽

Laura Jamison ◽

Hudson Golino

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Training ◽

Passive Control ◽

Control Group ◽

Longitudinal Impact ◽

Healthy Older Adults ◽

Booster Sessions ◽

Experimental Group

This paper reports the results from a three-years follow-up study to access the long-term efficacy of a cognitive training for healthy older adults and investigates the effects of booster sessions on the cognitive performance of the participants using an innovative analytical approach from information theory. Design: semi-randomized quasi-experimental controlled design. Participants: 50 healthy older adults, (M = 73.3, SD = 7.77) were assigned into an experimental (N = 25; Mean age = 73.9; SD = 8.62) and a passive control group (N = 25; mean age = 72.9; SD = 6.97). Instruments: six subtests of WAIS and two episodic memory tasks. Procedures: the participants were assessed in four occasions: after the end of the original intervention, pre-booster sessions (three years after the original intervention), immediately after the booster sessions and three months after the booster sessions. Results: the repeated measures ANOVA showed that two gains reported in the original intervention were identified in the follow-up: Coding (F(1, 44) = 11.79, MSE = 0.77, p = .001, ηˆG2 = .084) and Picture Completion (F(1, 47) = 10.01, MSE = 0.73, p = .003, ηˆG2 = .060). After the booster sessions, all variables presented a significant interaction between group and time favorable to the experimental group (moderate to high effect sizes). To compare the level of cohesion of the cognitive variables between the groups, an entropy-based metric was used. The experimental group presented a lower level of cohesion in three of the four measurement occasions, suggesting a differential impact of the intervention with immediate and short-term effects, but without long-term effects.

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Effects of Cognitive Training on Cognitive Performance of Healthy Older Adults

The Spanish Journal of Psychology ◽

10.1017/sjp.2017.38 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 20 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Mariana Teles Santos Golino ◽

Carmen Flores Mendoza ◽

Hudson Fernandes Golino

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Training ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Digit Span ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Digit Symbol ◽

Transfer Effects ◽

Healthy Older Adults ◽

Picture Completion

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to determine the immediate effects of cognitive training on healthy older adults and verify the transfer effects of targeted and non-targeted abilities. The design consisted of a semi-randomized clinical controlled trial. The final sample was composed of 80 volunteers recruited from a Brazilian community (mean age = 69.69; SD = 7.44), which were separated into an intervention group (N = 47; mean age = 69.66, SD = 7.51) and a control group (N = 33; mean age = 69.73, SD = 7.45). Intervention was characterized by adaptive cognitive training with 12 individual training sessions of 60 to 90 minutes (once a week). Eight instruments were used to assess effects of cognitive training. Five were used to assess trained abilities (near effects), including: Memorization Tests (List and History), Picture Completion, Digit Span, Digit Symbol-Coding, and Symbol Search (the last four from WAIS-III). Two instruments assessed untrained abilities (far effects): Arithmetic and Matrix Reasoning (WAIS-III). The non-parametric repeated measures ANOVA test revealed a significant interaction between group by time interaction for Picture Completion [F(74) = 14.88, p = .0002, d = 0.90, CLES = 73.69%], Digit Symbol-Coding [F(74) = 5.66, p = .019, d = 0.55, CLES = 65.21%] and Digit Span [F(74) = 5.38, p = .02, d = 0.54, CLES = 64.85%], suggesting an interventional impact on these performance tasks. The results supported near transfer effects, but did not demonstrate a far transfer effects.

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Effects of a simple reminiscence intervention program on the reminiscence functions in older adults

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610220000174 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Encarnación Satorres ◽

Iraida Delhom ◽

Juan C. Meléndez

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Problem Solving ◽

Intervention Program ◽

Intervention Group ◽

The Self ◽

Control Group ◽

Identity Problem ◽

Healthy Older Adults ◽

Positive Functions

ABSTRACT Objectives: Reminiscence promotes the acceptance of oneself and others, a sense of meaning, and the integration of the present and the past. The currently accepted classification contains eight reminiscence functions grouped in three broader functions: self-positive functions (identity, problem-solving, and death preparation); self-negative functions (bitterness revival, boredom reduction, and intimacy maintenance); and prosocial functions (conversation and teach-inform). The main objective of this study was to investigate how the eight dimensions change over time in a sample of healthy older adults after an intervention based on simple reminiscence and subsequent follow-up. Design: Participants were randomly assigned to the treatment or control group. Setting: Participants were evaluated individually before, immediately after, and 3 months after the intervention. Participants: Participants included 139 healthy older adults (71 intervention group and 68 control group). Intervention: Ten weekly sessions lasting 2 hours each were administered, based on a simple reminiscence program. Measurements: Participants were assessed with the Reminiscence Functions Scale. Results: After the intervention, in the treatment group, there was a significant increase in the self-positive functions of problem-solving and death preparation, and these effects were maintained even at the follow-up; there was a significant reduction in the self-negative functions of bitterness revival and intimacy maintenance; and there was a significant increase in the prosocial function of conversation. Conclusions: When applying an intervention based on reminiscence, it is important to evaluate how it influences these functions because this information can help us to modify the objectives of the intervention and increase its effectiveness.

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The effect of low-intensity resistance training after heat stress on muscle size and strength of triceps brachii: a randomized controlled trial

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

10.1186/s12891-019-2991-4 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Masatoshi Nakamura ◽

Tomoichi Yoshida ◽

Ryosuke Kiyono ◽

Shigeru Sato ◽

Nobushige Takahashi

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Resistance Training ◽

Muscle Strength ◽

Muscle Thickness ◽

Control Group ◽

Triceps Brachii ◽

Stress Group ◽

Repetition Maximum ◽

Low Intensity ◽

The One

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to clarify whether there is a synergistic effect on muscular strength and hypertrophy when low-intensity resistance training is performed after heat stress. Methods Thirty healthy young male volunteers were randomly allocated to either the low-intensity resistance training with heat stress group or the control group. The control group performed low-intensity resistance training alone. In the low-intensity resistance training with heat stress group, a hot pack was applied to cover the muscle belly of the triceps brachii for 20 min before the training. The duration of the intervention was 6 weeks. In both groups, the training resistance was 30% of the one repetition maximum, applied in three sets with eight repetitions each and 60-s intervals. The one repetition maximum of elbow extension and muscle thickness of triceps brachii were measured before and after 6 weeks of low intensity resistance training. Results There was no significant change in the one-repetition maximum and muscle thickness in the control group, whereas there was a significant increase in the muscle strength and thickness in the low-intensity resistance training with heat stress group. Conclusion The combination of heat stress and low-intensity resistance training was an effective method for increasing muscle strength and volume. Trial registration University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000036167; March 11, 2019).

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