The acute physiological effects of high- and low-velocity resistance exercise in older adults

The aim of the present study was to determine if workload matched, high-velocity (HVE) and low-velocity (LVE) resistance exercise protocols, elicit differing acute physiological responses in older adults. Ten older adults completed three sets of eight exercises on six separate occasions (three HVE and three LVE sessions). Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and blood lactate were measured pre- and post-exercise, heart rate was measured before exercise and following each set of each exercise. Finally, a rating of perceived exertion was measured following each set of each exercise. There were no significant differences in blood lactate (F(1,9) = 0.028; P = 0.872; ηP2 = 0.003), heart rate (F(1,9) = 0.045; P = 0.837; ηP2 = 0.005), systolic blood pressure (F(1,9) = 0.023; P = 0.884; ηP2 = 0.003) or diastolic blood pressure (F(1,9) = 1.516; P = 0.249; ηP2 = 0.144) between HVE and LVE. However, LVE elicited significantly greater ratings of perceived exertion compared to HVE (F(1,9) = 13.059; P = 0.006; ηP2 = 0.592). The present workload matched HVE and LVE protocols produced comparable physiological responses, although greater exertion was perceived during LVE

Short-term resistance training and the older adult: The effect of varied programmes for the enhancement of muscle strength and functional performance

Although it is well recognized that resistance training is an efficient strategy to enhance physical performance in older adults, less is known about the most effective type of resistive exercise or the role of functional training. This study compared the effectiveness of three varied short-term (8 weeks) training protocols on muscle strength and functional performance in older men and women aged 65-84 years. Participants underwent twice-weekly high-velocity varied-resistance training (HV), twice weekly slow to moderate-velocity constant-resistance training (CT), combined once weekly high-velocity varied-resistance and once weekly gymnasium-based functional training (CB) or no training (CO). Dynamic muscle strength (1RM) of six muscle groups was assessed using isotonic equipment and functional performance by a battery of tests. Following 8 weeks of training, whole-body muscle strength increased (P < 0.001) by 22.0 +/- 12.5% (mean +/- SD), 21.7 +/- 11.0% and 26.1 +/- 14.4% in HV, CT and CB, respectively, compared to CO (-1.8 +/- 7.2%). In between group comparisons, only the HV group displayed greater chair rise ability (P =0.010) than the CO group, while differences among groups approached significance for the fast 6-m walk and the stair climb test (P = 0.017 and 0.041 respectively). Within groups, the HV group significantly improved in stair-climbing and chair rise ability (