Healthy Older Adults
Conditions
Keywords
Resistance training, cost of walking, cost of transfer, balance, countermovement jump, SSC
Brief summary
Normal aging leads to a decline in neuromuscular and mobility functions, including a 60% reduction in maximal voluntary force production, a 25% decrease in muscle volume and quality (sarcopenia), and reduced tendon stiffness by age 70. These changes impair walking speed, balance, and increase the metabolic cost of walking by \ 20% in older adults compared to younger individuals. While walking training can reduce metabolic costs, no interventions have successfully addressed the 20% age-related difference. Resistance training, particularly eccentric (muscle-lengthening) training, shows promise for improving muscle strength and mass, but its effects on functional, cognitive abilities, and walking economy in older adults remain unexplored.
Detailed description
Normal aging is characterized by a decline in neuromuscular and mobility functions. By the age of 70, maximal voluntary force production decreases by approximately 60%, accompanied by a \ 25% reduction in muscle volume and quality, leading to sarcopenia. Alongside changes in muscle protein content, composition, and mitochondrial biochemistry, aging also affects tendon properties. While healthy aging does not significantly alter tendon size, it reduces tendon stiffness, which can delay force transmission. These changes in muscle-tendon function contribute to slower walking speeds and impaired static and dynamic balance. One of the most significant functional changes with aging is the increased metabolic cost of walking. Older individuals require \ 20% more metabolic energy to walk the same distance as younger adults, yet the underlying reasons remain unclear. While walking training has been shown to reduce metabolic costs in older adults, no studies have attempted to reduce this 20% age-related difference using alternative interventions. Resistance training induces adaptations in muscle-tendon function by requiring participants to overcome external loads. Traditional resistance training combines concentric (muscle shortening) and eccentric (muscle lengthening) contractions, but eccentric training has received increasing attention due to its superior benefits in muscle strength and mass improvement. However, no studies have examined how resistance training, particularly with an eccentric focus, impacts functional and cognitive abilities or walking economy in older adults. Objectives: This study aims to: 1. Investigate the effects of resistance training, particularly eccentric-focused training, on muscle-tendon function and walking economy in older adults. 2. Examine whether these changes translate into improved neuromuscular and cognitive functions. 3. Determine if improved tendon stiffness leads to more efficient force transmission, reducing walking energy expenditure.
Interventions
OTHERConcentric overload resistance training
* Resistance training groups will train 2-3 times per week for 3 months using specialized TechnoGym machines. * Exercises include Concentric leg press, knee extension, and ankle plantarflexion in a progressive loading program following American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) & National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) guidelines. * Heart rate, blood pressure, and perceived exertion will be monitored during each session.
OTHEREccentric overload resistance training
* Resistance training groups will train 2-3 times per week for 3 months using specialized TechnoGym machines. * Exercises include Eccentric leg press, knee extension, and ankle plantarflexion in a progressive loading program following American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) & National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) guidelines. * Heart rate, blood pressure, and perceived exertion will be monitored during each session.
OTHERActive Control
Walking
Sponsors
Semmelweis University
Hungarian University of Sports Science
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Intervention model description
Cross-Sectional Component: Purpose: To assess baseline muscle-tendon function, metabolic function, and other relevant measures in older adults. Design: Observational, providing a snapshot of the participants' characteristics before the intervention. Longitudinal Intervention Component: Purpose: To examine the effects of different training interventions over time and assess retention effects. Design: A three-arm parallel-group randomized controlled trial (RCT) with pre- and post-intervention assessments.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
60 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* • Healthy men and women aged 60+ (intervention study). * No significant cognitive or cardiovascular impairments.
Exclusion criteria
* • Acute injuries or history of severe tendon injuries (Achilles or patellar tendon rupture). * Tendinopathy or chronic musculoskeletal disorders. * Hypertension, unless controlled with medication. * Neurological or psychiatric disorders (dementia, mild cognitive impairment). * Metabolic diseases affecting muscle/tendon function,
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Walking metabolic cost | Through study completion, an average of 1.5 year | Assessed using spirometry at different speeds (J/kg/m) |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Patella and Achilles tendon stiffness | Through study completion, an average of 1.5 year | Stiffness is the slope of the force elongation curve using dynamometer combining with Ultrasound (N/mm) |
| Vastus lateralis and Gastrocnemius muscle thickness & tendon thickness | Through study completion, an average of 1.5 year | VL, GC, and Achilles tendon & patellar tendon will be assessed using Ultrasound images (mm) |
| Maximum isometric voluntary contraction | Through study completion, an average of 1.5 year | Maximum isometric voluntary force using a dynamometer. (Nm) |
| Jump efficiency | Through study completion, an average of 1.5 year | squat jump and Countermovement jump height (cm) jump efficiency (%) |
| Cognitive Assessments | Through study completion, an average of 1.5 year | Cognitive tests: Executive function, working memory, and processing speed using some questionnaires with score values. Reaction Time (milliseconds, ms) Score (points or errors) - Based on correct/incorrect responses in tasks Number of correct responses per second (responses/sec) |
| Whole leg muscle mass | Through study completion, an average of 1.5 year | Whole leg muscle mass via DEXA scan.(Kg) |
Countries
Hungary
Outcome results
None listed