title: Effects of three different low-intensity exercise interventions on physical performance, muscle CSA and activities of daily living: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the short-term effects of three different resistance training programs, conducted at low intensity, on physical performance, muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) and the capacity to perform daily tasks in older adults living in a geriatric nursing home.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial, with a 4-month intervention period.
  
  
  METHODS
  A geriatric nursing home in Valencia, Spain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-nine adults aged 75 to 96 who were independent in their daily activities.
  
  
  METHODS
  After a baseline assessment, the participants were randomly assigned to the control group or one of the three intervention groups: volitional contraction (VC; n=22), neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES; n=22), or neuromuscular electrical stimulation superimposed onto voluntary contractions (NMES+; n=22). The intervention focused on knee extension exercises and its intensity was set at 40% of one-repetition maximum (1RM).
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary outcome measure was mobility. Secondary outcomes were rectus femoris CSA, balance, aerobic endurance, upper-body strength and the capacity to perform daily tasks. All data were collected at baseline and after the 4-month intervention period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The two-way ANOVA analysis showed a significant group×time interaction effect for the mobility (P=.022), rectus femoris CSA (P=.001), and the capacity to perform daily tasks (P=.05). The within-group analysis found a more prominent effect in the NMES+ group. Significant improvements were seen in rectus femoris CSA and the capacity to perform daily tasks in all intervention groups. Mobility only improved in the NMES+ group (P=.026).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  From a short-term perspective, NMES+ exercise training, performed at low intensity, can improve physical performance, muscle CSA, and the capacity to perform daily activities, and to partially mitigate age-related consequences in older adults.
authors.affiliation: University Cardenal Herrera-CEU, Department of Physiotherapy, Avda. Seminari s/n., 46113 Moncada, Valencia, Spain. Electronic address: vicente.benavent@uch.ceu.es.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Benavent-Caballer
authors.affiliation: University Cardenal Herrera-CEU, Department of Physiotherapy, Avda. Seminari s/n., 46113 Moncada, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rosado-Calatayud
authors.affiliation: University Cardenal Herrera-CEU, Department of Physiotherapy, Avda. Seminari s/n., 46113 Moncada, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Segura-Ortí
authors.affiliation: University Cardenal Herrera-CEU, Department of Physiotherapy, Avda. Seminari s/n., 46113 Moncada, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Amer-Cuenca
authors.affiliation: University Cardenal Herrera-CEU, Department of Physiotherapy, Avda. Seminari s/n., 46113 Moncada, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Lisón
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D053580:Muscle Strength; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009929:Organ Size; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D013030:Spain; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation; Older adults; Physical performance; Randomized controlled trial; Resistance exercise