Heavy Resistance Training in Older Adults: Effects of Type Exercise on Functional Capacity, Maximal Muscle Strength and Power

The purpose of the present study was to investigate effects of type of exercise on the muscle strength and functional performance gains for lower-body in older adults after heavy resistance training. Twenty untrained older adults volunteers (8 men and 12 women) were randomized and placed into two groups: multi-joint exercise-MJ (65 +/- 6 years) and single-joint exercise-SJ (62 +/- 6 years). Participants were tested twice during control period, and resistance training (RT) effects were assessed after six (middle), and 12 (post) weeks of RT. On test day it was performed a five-repetition maximum (5-RM) tests for leg press (LP), leg extension (LE) and seated leg curl (SLC); stand up 30 s test (SU30), climbing (CS) and down (DS) stairs; time up and go (TUG) and squat jump (SJ). Each group trained 24 sessions. Main effects within and between groups were assessed by Anova. There were increases from pre to middle and post-training (p < 0.05) for 5-RM in all exercises, with no significant differences between groups. Regarding functional performance, CS and DS presented significant improvement after post-training for both groups, (p < 0.05), whereas no differences were observed in the SU30 and TUG test (p > 0.05). No significant changes were observed in the SJ variables after training period (p > 0.05). Multi- and single-joint exercises induced similar gains in the maximal strength and functional performance.