Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Effects of single vs. multiple-set short-term strength training in elderly women

  • Published:
AGE Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The strength training has been shown to be effective for attenuating the age-related physiological decline. However, the adequate volume of strength training volume adequate to promote improvements, mainly during the initial period of training, still remains controversial. Thus, the purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a short-term strength training program with single or multiple sets in elderly women. Maximal dynamic (1-RM) and isometric strength, muscle activation, muscle thickness (MT), and muscle quality (MQ = 1-RM and MT quadriceps quotient) of the knee extensors were assessed. Subjects were randomly assigned into one of two groups: single set (SS; n = 14) that performed one set per exercise or multiple sets (MS; n = 13) that performed three-sets per exercise, twice weekly for 6 weeks. Following training, there were significant increases (p ≤ 0.05) in knee extension 1-RM (16.1 ± 12 % for SS group and 21.7 ± 7.7 % for MS group), in all MT (p ≤ 0.05; vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius), and in MQ (p ≤ 0.05); 15.0 ± 12.2 % for SS group and 12.6 ± 7.2 % for MS group), with no differences between groups. These results suggest that during the initial stages of strength training, single- and multiple-set training demonstrate similar capacity for increasing dynamic strength, MT, and MQ of the knee extensors in elderly women.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by CNPq, CAPES, and Miotec-Equipamentos Biomédicos. The authors also thank the anonymous reviewers for their insightful comments on an earlier draft of the manuscript.

Conflict of interest

The authors have no financial or personal conflicts of interest to report which may be perceived to influence the results.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Regis Radaelli.

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Radaelli, R., Wilhelm, E.N., Botton, C.E. et al. Effects of single vs. multiple-set short-term strength training in elderly women. AGE 36, 9720 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-014-9720-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-014-9720-6

Keywords

Navigation