The authors compared the effects of bodyweight resistance training at moderate- or high-speed conditions on muscle power, velocity of movement, and functional performance in older females. In a randomized, single-blinded noncontrolled trial, participants completed 12 weeks (three sessions/week) of bodyweight resistance training at high (n = 14; age 70.6 +/- 4.3 years) or moderate (n = 12; age 72.8 +/- 4.2 years) speeds. Data were analyzed with an analysis of variance (group x time) with alpha level set at <= 0.05. After the intervention, timed up and go test performance (p < 0.05) and the rising from a chair test mean (22.4%) and maximal velocity (28.5%), mean (24.4%) and maximal power (27.7%), normalized mean (25.1%), and normalized maximal power (28.5%) increased in the high-speed group (p < 0.05). However, the moderate-speed group achieved no improvements (delta 6.7 to 14.4%; p > 0.2). The authors conclude that high-speed bodyweight resistance training is an effective and economically practical strategy to improve the functional capacity of older women relevant to daily life activities.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help

• DOI
• PubMed
• PDF locator
• publisher