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DOI: 10.1055/a-1408-4793
Acute Physiological Response to Light- and Heavy-load Power-oriented Exercise in Older Adults
Funding: This work was supported by the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad of the Government of Spain (DEP2015–69386-R and BES-2016–077199) (MINECO/FEDER, EU); the Biomedical Research Networking Center on Frailty and Healthy Aging (CIBERFES) and FEDER funds from the European Union (CB16/10/00477 and CB16/10/00456) and by the Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia of the Government of Spain (Red EXERNET DEP2005–00046).![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/sportsmed/202114/lookinside/thumbnails/8733_10.1055-a-1408-4793-1.jpg)
Abstract
This study investigated the acute responses to volume-load-matched heavy-load (80% 1RM) versus light-load (40% 1RM) power-oriented resistance training sessions in well-functioning older adults. Using a randomized cross-over design, 15 volunteers completed each condition on a leg press. Neuromuscular (maximal isometric force and rate of force development) and functional performance (power during sit-to-stand test), lactate, and muscle damage biochemistry (creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and C-reactive protein serum concentration) were assessed pre- and post-exercise. Performance declines were found after heavy-load (Cohen’s d effect size (d); maximal isometric force=0.95 d; rate of force development=1.17 d; sit-to-stand power =0.38 d, all p<0.05) and light-load (maximal isometric force=0.45 d; rate of force development=0.9 d; sit-to-stand power=1.17 d, all p<0.05), while lactate concentration increased only after light-load (1.7 d, p=0.001). However, no differences were found between conditions (all p>0.05). Both conditions increased creatine kinase the day after exercise (marginal effect=0.75 d, p<0.001), but no other blood markers increased (all, p>0.05). Irrespective of the load used, power training induced non-clinically significant decreases in sit-to-stand performance, moderate declines in maximal isometric force, but pronounced decreases in the rate of force development. Furthermore, the metabolic stress and muscle damage were minor; both sessions were generally well tolerated by well-functioning older adults without previous experience in resistance training.
Publication History
Received: 23 November 2020
Accepted: 16 February 2021
Article published online:
26 April 2021
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