Strength Gain (strength + gain)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Efficacy and Feasibility of a Novel Tri-Modal Robust Exercise Prescription in a Retirement Community: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

JOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 1 2007
Michael K. Baker BAppSc
OBJECTIVES: To test the feasibility and efficacy of current guidelines for multimodal exercise programs in older adults. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: Retirement village. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-eight subjects (14 men and 24 women) aged 76.6 ± 6.1. INTERVENTION: A wait list control or 10 weeks of supervised exercise consisting of high-intensity (80% of one-repetition maximum (1RM)) progressive resistance training (PRT) 3 days per week, moderate-intensity (rating of perceived exertion 11 to 14/20) aerobic training 2 days per week, and progressive balance training 1 day per week. MEASUREMENTS: Blinded assessments of dynamic muscle strength (1RM), balance, 6-minute walk, gait velocity, chair stand, stair climb, depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, and habitual physical activity level. RESULTS: Higher baseline strength and psychological well-being were associated with better functional performance. Strength gains over 10 weeks averaged 39±31% in exercise, versus 21±24% in controls (P=.10), with greater improvements in hip flexion (P=.01), hip abduction (P=.02), and chest press (P=.04) in the exercise group. Strength adaptations were greatest in exercises in which the intended continuous progressive overload was achieved. Stair climb power (12.3±15%, P=.002) and chair stand time (,7.1±15%, P=.006) improved significantly and similarly in both groups. Reduction in depressive symptoms was significantly related to compliance (attendance rate r=,0.568, P=.009, PRT progression in loading r=,0.587, P=.02, and total volume of aerobic training r=,0.541, P=.01), as well as improvements in muscle strength (r=,0.498, P=.002). CONCLUSION: Robust physical and psychological adaptations to exercise are linked, although volumes and intensities of multiple exercise modalities sufficient to cause significant adaptation appear difficult to prescribe and adhere to simultaneously in older adults. [source]


Impact of low cost strength training of dorsi- and plantar flexors on balance and functional mobility in institutionalized elderly people

GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2009
Fernando Ribeiro
Aim: To evaluate the effects of a low cost strength training program of the dorsi- and ankle plantar flexors on muscle strength, balance and functional mobility, in elderly institutionalized subjects; and to determine the association between strength gain and balance and/or functional mobility gain. Methods: Forty-eight volunteers were recruited and equally divided into two groups: intervention (aged 78.44 ± 3.84 years) and control (aged 79.78 ± 3.90 years). Both groups were tested at baseline and outcome for ankle dorsi- and plantar flexors muscle strength, balance and functional mobility. The intervention group participated in a 6-week program, three-sessions-per-week, of resisted ankle dorsi- and plantar flexion exercises using elastic bands. Results: In the intervention group, maximal isometric dorsi- (from 8.4 ± 0.45 to 12.6 ± 0.95 kg; P , 0.001) and plantar flexors strength (from 13.0 ± 0.85 to 17.5 ± 0.93 kg; P , 0.001), balance (from 14.6 ± 0.54 to 22.3 ± 1.81 cm; P , 0.001) and functional mobility (from 18.4 ± 0.51 to 11.0 ± 0.66 s; P , 0.001) increased significantly after the 6-week strength training program. In the control group, no significant differences were detected. In the intervention group, a significant correlation between plantar flexor strength gain and balance gain was found (r = 0.826; P = 0.01). Conclusion: The proposed low cost strength training of dorsi- and plantar flexors improved strength, balance and functional mobility in institutionalized elderly people; moreover, the improvement in plantar flexor strength was associated with the improvement in balance. [source]


Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Genotype Affects the Response of Human Skeletal Muscle to Functional Overload

EXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 5 2000
Jonathan Folland
The response to strength training varies widely between individuals and is considerably influenced by genetic variables, which until now, have remained unidentified. The deletion (D), rather than the insertion (I), variant of the human angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) genotype is an important factor in the hypertrophic response of cardiac muscle to exercise and could also be involved in skeletal muscle hypertrophy , an important factor in the response to functional overload. Subjects were 33 healthy male volunteers with no experience of strength training. We examined the effect of ACE genotype upon changes in strength of quadriceps muscles in response to 9 weeks of specific strength training (isometric or dynamic). There was a significant interaction between ACE genotype and isometric training with greater strength gains shown by subjects with the D allele (mean ± S.E.M.: II, 9.0 ± 1.7%; ID, 17.6 ± 2.2%; DD, 14.9 ± 1.3%, ANOVA, P 0.05). A consistent genotype and training interaction (ID DD II) was observed across all of the strength measures, and both types of training. ACE genotype is the first genetic factor to be identified in the response of skeletal muscle to strength training. The association of the ACE I/D polymorphism with the responses of cardiac and skeletal muscle to functional overload indicates that they may share a common mechanism. These findings suggest a novel mechanism, involving the renin-angiotensin system, in the response of skeletal muscle to functional overload and may have implications for the management of conditions such as muscle wasting disorders, prolonged bed rest, ageing and rehabilitation, where muscle weakness may limit function. [source]