Aging
Conditions
Keywords
Strength training, Older adults, physical function
Brief summary
The objective of the current study is to determine whether lifting lighter loads close to failure improves strength training adaptations and function in older adults. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. The effect of light loads on physical function 2. The effect of light loads on muscle mass, power, and strength Researchers will compare a light-load, high-repetition program to a standard strength training program. Participants will perform supervised strength training twice per week for 20 weeks.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALStrength training
This intervention involves strength training with lighter loads and higher repetitions.
Sponsors
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Queens College, The City University of New York
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Statistician
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
65 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Males and females aged 65 years and above * Inactive lifestyle (\< 150 min per week of moderate intensity physical activity) and not regularly participating in a structured strength training program * Planning to reside in the area for the duration of the study
Exclusion criteria
* Severe cardiac disease, including Class III or IV congestive heart failure, clinically significant aortic stenosis, history of cardiac arrest, use of a cardiac defibrillator, or uncontrolled angina * Lung disease requiring either oral or injected steroids, or the use of supplemental oxygen * Short, portable mental status questionnaire with 3 or more errors * Severe arthritis (either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis) * Cancer requiring treatment in the past 1 year (melanomas excluded) * Development of chest pain or severe shortness of breath during the 6 min self-paced walk test * Parkinson's disease or other serious neurological disorders * Renal disease requiring dialysis * Current diagnosis of schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders, or bipolar disorder * Current consumption of more than 14 alcoholic drinks per week * Severe lower back or shoulder pain that may worsen with weightlifting exercises * Undergoing physical therapy involving the lower extremities * Living in nursing homes, assisted living facilities or other similar institutions * Currently enrolled in another randomized trial involving a pharmaceutical or lifestyle intervention * Weight change (intentional or not) over the last 6 months of \> 5% of body weight, or plan to lose or gain weight during the study * Any other cardiovascular, pulmonary, orthopedic, neurologic, or other conditions that would preclude participation and successful completion of the protocol Temporary
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 6-minute walk test | Baseline and week 21 | Change in the total distance walked in 6 minutes. The 6-minute walk test is an objective, well-validated, and clinically meaningful measure of physical function in older adults. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 30-second chair stand test | Baseline and week 21 | Change in the number of repetitions completed during the 30-Second chair stand test. This test assesses lower body functional strength and power. |
| Lower body maximal muscle strength | Baseline and week 21. | Change in lower body maximum muscle strength will be assessed using a one-repetition maximum (1RM) test on a leg press machine. |
| Lower body muscle power | Baseline and week 21 | Lower body muscle peak power (W) will be assessed using a pneumatic leg press machine. |
| Lean body mass (LBM) | Baseline and week 21 | Change in total lean body mass (kg) will be assessed using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan |
| Get-up & go test | Baseline and week 21 | Change in the time (in seconds) taken to complete the get up and go test. The get up & go test will be used to assess lower body dynamic balance and fall risk |
| Number of participants with adverse events | From enrollment to the end of 20-week intervention period | Number of participants experiencing adverse events that are possibly or definitely related to the intervention, |
| Physical activity enjoyment scale (PACES) | Week 21 | Participants will complete the 18-item Physical activity enjoyment scale (PACES) to assess their level of physical activity enjoyment. Scores range from 18 to 126 and higher scores indicate greater enjoyment. |
| Exercise self-efficacy questionnaire | Week 21 | Participants will complete the exercise self-efficacy scale to assess their belief in their ability to continue strength training twice per week at the prescribed intensity in the future. Scores range from 0 to 100 and higher scores indicate greater self-efficacy. |
| Exercise session attendance | From enrollment to the end of 20-week intervention period | The total number of supervised exercise sessions attended by participants over the 20-week intervention period. |
| Self-reported physical function | Baseline and week 21 | Self-reported physical function will be assessed using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) physical function questionnaire. PROMIS measures are scored on the T-score metric. High scores mean more of the concept being measured. |
Countries
United States
Contacts
Primary ContactAnoop T Balachandran, PhD
Outcome results
None listed