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High Velocity Power Training Increases Skeletal Muscle Peak Power in Older Women
Foldvari M, Clark M, Laviolette LC, Bernstein MA, Kaliton D, Castaneda C, Pu CT, Hausdorff JM, Fielding RA, Singh MA. Nutrition, Exercise Physiology, and Sarcopenia Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA. mfoldvari@hnrc.tufts.edu
Objectives
This study used baseline data collected as part of a 1-year randomized controlled trial of combined strength, power, and endurance training with 80 elderly woman (74.8 + 5 yr) to test the hypothesis that peak muscle power is closely associated with self-reported functional status. The subjects functional status was assessed by self-report using the NHANES I questionnaire. Additional variables of strength, muscle power, muscle endurance, Vo2 Peak, depression and cognitive status were measured using 1RM, maximum number of repetition, treadmill test, Geriatric Depression Scale and the Mini-Mental State Exam respectively.
Results
Analyzing each variable individually, functional status at baseline was related to physiologic capacity, habitual physical activity level, neuropsychological status, and medical diagnosis. Leg power had the strongest correlation to self-reported functional status than any of the physiological factors tested. Additionally leg press power and habitual physical activity level were the only two factors that contributed independently to functional status, accounting for 40% for the variance in functional status.
Summary
A significant amount of research has been done on the effects of increased strength on functional status of older adults. However, this study highlights the importance of power to the functional status of community dwelling elderly women. Leg power was the strongest predictor of self-reported functional status in elderly women. Habitual physical activity also significantly impacted functional status.
Keiser Equipment Used
Chest Press, Upper Back, Leg Press and Hip Abductor
Published in the Journal of Gerontology, A Biol Sci Med Sci 2000 Apr;55(4):M192-9