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Improvement in functional performance with high-speed power training in older adults is optimized in those with the highest training velocity

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Abstract

Purpose

To identify whether variability in limb movement velocity during high-speed power training (HSPT) may impact physical functioning in older adults.

Methods

42 older men and women (71.3 ± 6.6 years) were randomized to lower extremity HSPT (n = 28) or control (CON; n = 14) (Analysis 1) for 12 weeks. A second analysis (Analysis 2) allocated HSPT into high-velocity (n = 14) or low-velocity (n = 14) based on a limb movement speed above or below the median average velocity during the 12-week HSPT intervention. Habitual gait speed, maximal gait speed, timed up-and-go, and the short physical performance battery were measured at baseline and 12 weeks. Change scores were compared between HSPT and CON (Analysis 1), and high-velocity, low-velocity, and CON (Analysis 2) using ANCOVA. Statistical significance was accepted at p < 0.05.

Results

Analysis 1 There were no group differences in habitual gait speed, maximal gait speed, or timed up-and-go between HSPT and CON (all p > 0.05). Short physical performance battery was greater in HSPT (0.96 ± 0.19) compared to CON (0.10 ± 0.26; p = 0.01). Analysis 2 There were no group differences in the change in habitual GS (p = 0.33) among high-velocity, low-velocity and CON. There were significant group differences in the change in maximal GS (p = 0.007), timed up-and-go (p = 0.03), and short physical performance battery (p = 0.03).

Conclusions

There is considerable variation in self-selected maximal limb velocity during HSPT in older adults. In the present cohort, an average limb velocity of 0.88 m/s during HSPT was necessary to ensure optimal improvement in functional performance for older adults, but this threshold will need further investigation.

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Abbreviations

1RM:

One-repetition maximum

ANCOVA:

Analysis of covariance

AV:

Average velocity

BMI:

Body mass index

CON:

Control

GDS:

Geriatric depression scale

GS:

Gait speed (habitual and maximal)

HI-V:

High-velocity training group within HSPT with limb movement speed >0.88 m/s

HSPT:

High-speed power training

ICC:

Intraclass correlation

KE:

Knee extension

LO-V:

Low-velocity training group within HSPT with limb movement speed <0.88 m/s

LP:

Leg press

MEDS:

Number of medications taken

MMSE:

Mini-mental state examination

RT:

Resistance training

SPPB:

Short physical performance battery

TUG:

Timed up-and-go

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Acknowledgments

Data from this study were supported by grants from the National Institute on Aging R03-AG025141-01 and the Arthritis Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Therapy, University of Missouri, 801 Clark Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, USA

    Stephen P. Sayers, Kyle Gibson & J. Bryan Mann

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  1. Stephen P. Sayers
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  2. Kyle Gibson
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  3. J. Bryan Mann
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Correspondence to Stephen P. Sayers.

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Ethical approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Communicated by Jean-René Lacour.

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Sayers, S.P., Gibson, K. & Bryan Mann, J. Improvement in functional performance with high-speed power training in older adults is optimized in those with the highest training velocity. Eur J Appl Physiol 116, 2327–2336 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-016-3484-x

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