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Functional capacity improves in-line with neuromuscular performance after 12 weeks of non-linear periodization strength training in the elderly

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Abstract

Background

While it is accepted that resistance training can improve functional capacity in older individuals, the neuromuscular source of this improvement has yet to be identified.

Aim

This study investigated the link between improved neuromuscular performance and functional capacity after a 12-week resistance training period in untrained healthy older individuals.

Methods

Fifteen older men and women (60–71 years) adhered to a 4-week control period, followed by 12 weeks of non-linear resistance training for the lower limbs. Maximum dynamic leg press strength (1-RM), maximum isometric knee extension torque and rate of torque development (RTD) were evaluated at − 4, 0, 4, 8, and 12 weeks, and muscle activity was assessed at 0, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Functional capacity tests (chair rise, stair ascent and descent, and timed up and go) were performed at − 4, 0, and 12 weeks.

Results

No changes occurred during the control period, but the group increased their 1-RM strength (from 142 ± 53 to 198 ± 43 kg, p = 0.001), which was accompanied by an increase in vastus lateralis activation (p = 0.008) during the intervention. Increase was observed at all RTD time intervals at week 8 (p < 0.05). Significant improvements in all the functional capacity tests were observed at week 12 (p < 0.05).

Discussion

Despite the expected increase in strength, RTD, muscle activity, and functional capacity, there was no significant relationship between the changes in neuromuscular performance and functional capacity. While resistance training elicits various positive improvements in healthy older individuals, actual strength gain did not influence the gain in functional capacity.

Conclusion

The present study highlights the exact cause that improved the functional capabilities during resistance training are currently unknown.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratório de Biomecânica, Centro de Desportos, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil

    Bruno Monteiro de Moura, Raphael Luiz Sakugawa, Lucas Bet da Rosa Orssatto, Luis Antonio Pereira de Lima & Fernando Diefenthaeler

  2. Laboratório de Pesquisa do Exercício, Escola de Educação Física, Fisioterapia e Dança, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil

    Ronei Silveira Pinto

  3. Neuromuscular Research Center, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland

    Simon Walker

Authors
  1. Bruno Monteiro de Moura
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  2. Raphael Luiz Sakugawa
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  3. Lucas Bet da Rosa Orssatto
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  4. Luis Antonio Pereira de Lima
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  5. Ronei Silveira Pinto
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  6. Simon Walker
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  7. Fernando Diefenthaeler
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Fernando Diefenthaeler.

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Conflict of interest

On behalf of all the authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

Ethical approval was obtained from the local Human Research Ethics Committee (CAAE: 25995714.0.0000.0121), and the protocol was written in accordance with the standards set by the Declaration of Helsinki.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Moura, B.M., Sakugawa, R.L., Orssatto, L.B.R. et al. Functional capacity improves in-line with neuromuscular performance after 12 weeks of non-linear periodization strength training in the elderly. Aging Clin Exp Res 30, 959–968 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-017-0873-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-017-0873-x

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