Health enhancing strength training in nonagenarians (STRONG): rationale, design and methods.
BACKGROUND
The Health Enhancing Strength Training in Nonagenarians (STRONG) is a randomised control trial to assess the effectiveness of an aerobic and strength training program for improving muscle strength, functional capacity and quality of life in nonagenarians.


METHODS
Sixty (51 women) nonagenarians (age range: 90-102 years) who live in a geriatric nursing home will be randomly assigned to either a usual care (control) group (n = 30) or an intervention (training) group (n = 30). Participants allocated in the usual care group will receive general physical activity guidelines and participants allocated in the intervention group will also enroll in three weekly non-consecutive individualized training sessions (approximately 45-50 min each) during 8 weeks. The exercise program will consist of muscular strength [with a special focus on leg press at 30% (start of the program) to 70% 1 repetition maximum (end)] and aerobic exercises (cycle-ergometry during 3-5 to 15 minutes at 12-14 points in the rate of perceived exertion scale).


RESULTS
Results from STRONG will help to better understand the potential of regular physical activity for improving the well-being of the oldest population groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The increase in life expectancy together with the dramatic decrease in birth rates in industrialized countries calls the attention to health care systems and public health policymakers to focus attention on promoting healthy lifestyle in the highest sector of the population pyramid. Our study attempts to improve functional capacity and QOL of nonagenarians by implementing an individualised aerobic and strength training program in a geriatric residential care. Results from STRONG will help to better understand the potential of regular physical activity for improving the well being even in persons aged 90 years or over.
Serra Rexach
José A
JA
Department of Physiology, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain. jserra.hgugm@salud.madrid.org
Ruiz
Jonatan R
JR
Bustamante-Ara
Natalia
N
Villarán
Margarita Hierro
MH
Gil
Pedro González
PG
Sanz Ibáñez
Maria J
MJ
Sanz
Nekane Blanco
NB
Santamaría
Victor Ortega
VO
Sanz
Natalia Gutiérrez
NG
Prada
Ana B Marín
AB
Gallardo
Cristian
C
Romo
Gabriel Rodríguez
GR
Lucia
Alejandro
A
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000379:methods*; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology