The effects of strength and power training on single-step balance recovery in older adults: a preliminary study.
Improving muscle strength and power may mitigate the effects of sarcopenia, but it is unknown if this improves an older adult's ability to recover from a large postural perturbation. Forward tripping is prevalent in older adults and lateral falls are important due to risk of hip fracture. We used a forward and a lateral single-step balance recovery task to examine the effects of strength training (ST) or power (PT) training on single-step balance recovery in older adults. Twenty older adults (70.8±4.4 years, eleven male) were randomly assigned to either a 6-week (three times/week) lower extremity ST or PT intervention. Maximum forward (FLean(max)) and lateral (LLean(max)) lean angle and strength and power in knee extension and leg press were assessed at baseline and follow-up. Fifteen participants completed the study (ST =7, PT =8). Least squares means (95% CI) for ΔFLean(max) (ST: +4.1° [0.7, 7.5]; PT: +0.6° [-2.5, 3.8]) and ΔLLean(max) (ST: +2.2° [0.4, 4.1]; PT: +2.6° [0.9, 4.4]) indicated no differences between groups following training. In exploratory post hoc analyses collapsed by group, ΔFLean(max) was +2.4° (0.1, 4.7) and ΔLLean(max) was +2.4° (1.2, 3.6). These improvements on the balance recovery tasks ranged from ~15%-30%. The results of this preliminary study suggest that resistance training may improve balance recovery performance, and that, in this small sample, PT did not lead to larger improvements in single-step balance recovery compared to ST.
Department of Health and Exercise Science, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
Derek N
DN
Pamukoff
Department of Health and Exercise Science, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
Eric C
EC
Haakonssen
Department of Health and Exercise Science, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
Joseph A
JA
Zaccaria
Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, Center for Gerontology, Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
Michael L
ML
Madigan
Department of Biostatistical Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC USA.
Michael E
ME
Miller
Department of Health and Exercise Science, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
Anthony P
AP
Marsh
D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*
exercise intervention; falls; muscle power; muscle strength; randomized trial; resistance exercise