title: Stair-ascent performance in elderly women: effect of explosive strength training.
abstract: Explosive-type strength training may alter kinetics and neuromuscular activity during stair ascent in elderly women. This may improve functional ability. Nineteen women (69.7 ± 3.4 yr) were randomly allocated to strength training (TG; twice per wk, 12 wk) or a control group (CG). Stair ascent was assessed at self-chosen (AFV), standardized (ASV), and maximal velocity (AMV) pre- and posttraining. Ground-reaction force (GRF) and EMG quantified kinetics and neuromuscular activity. After training, TG increased AMV and AFV velocity by 8% (p = .02) and 17% (p= .007), respectively (TG vs. CG; p< .05). This was accompanied by elevated rectus femoris EMG (from 21% to 48%, p< .047). At AFV, TG increased GRF first peak force 4% (p= .047), and CG increased second peak force 5% (p = .036). Muscle coactivation remained unaltered in both groups. Explosive-type strength training led to enhanced stair-climbing performance at maximal and self-chosen speed, reflecting an improved functional ability.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holsgaard-Larsen
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Caserotti
authors.forename: Lis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Puggaard
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aagaard
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric