title: The effects of loaded and unloaded high-velocity resistance training on functional fitness among community-dwelling older adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Physical function declines up to 4% per year after the age of 65. High-velocity training is important for maintaining muscular power and ultimately, physical function; however, whether performing high-velocity training without external resistance increases functional fitness among older adults remains unclear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate loaded and unloaded high-velocity training on lower body muscular power and functional fitness in older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-seven community-dwelling older adults (n = 16 males, n = 41 females) participated in this study. Inclusion criteria comprised ≥65 years of age, ≥24 on the Mini-mental state examination and no falls within past year.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two groups completed a 20-week high-velocity training intervention. The non-weighted group (UNLOAD, n = 27) performed the protocol without external load while the intervention group (LOAD, n = 30) used external loads via exercise machines. Functional fitness was assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Senior Fitness Test (SFT), hand-grip and lower body power measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multivariate ANOVA revealed that both groups had significant improvements for average (17.21%) and peak (9.26%) lower body power, along with the SFT arm curl (16.94%), chair stand (20.10%) and 8 ft. up-and-go (15.67%). Improvements were also noticed for SPPB 8 ft. walk (25.21%). However, improvements for all functional fitness measures were independent of training group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Unloaded high-velocity training increased functional fitness and power the same as loaded training. The ability of high-velocity movements to elicit gains in functional fitness without external loads may help health professionals develop fitness programs when time/space is limiting factor.
authors.affiliation: Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA.
authors.forename: Jordan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Glenn
authors.affiliation: Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.affiliation: Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA.
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Binns
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010809:Physical Fitness; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D016474:Weight-Bearing
keywords: activities of daily living; independence; older people; power