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Comparison of once-weekly and twice-weekly strength training in older adults [with consumer summary] |
di Francisco-Donoghue J, Werner W, Douris PC |
British Journal of Sports Medicine 2007 Jan;41(1):19-22 |
clinical trial |
4/10 [Eligibility criteria: Yes; Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: No; Baseline comparability: Yes; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: No; Adequate follow-up: No; Intention-to-treat analysis: No; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: Yes. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed* |
BACKGROUND: Strength training has been shown to benefit the health and function of older adults. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether one set of exercises performed once a week was as effective in increasing muscle strength as training twice a week. METHODS: 18 subjects (7 women and 11 men) aged 65 to 79 years were randomly assigned to two groups. Both groups performed one set of exercises to muscular fatigue; group 1 trained 1 day/week and group 2 trained 2 days/week on three lower and three upper body exercises for 9 weeks. The data were analysed using a mixed model 2x2 analysis of variance. RESULTS: A significant main effect of time (p < 0.001), but not group, on one-repetition maximum scores was observed. No significant interaction was observed between time and group and therefore no difference in strength changes between training once a week versus twice a week after 9 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: One set of exercises performed once weekly to muscle fatigue improved strength as well as twice a week in the older adult. Our results provide information that will assist in designing strength-training programmes that are more time and cost efficient in producing health and fitness benefits for older adults.
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