title: The Acute Effects of Eccentrically-Biased Versus Conventional Weight Training in Older Adults: A Randomised Controlled Cross-Over Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Whilst resistance training has been proven to convey considerable benefits to older people; immediately post-exercise there may be elevated transient risks for cardiac events and falls. Objectives and Measurements: We assessed the acute effects of eccentrically-biased (EB) and conventional (CONV) resistance exercise on: platelet number, activation and granule exocytsosis; and mean velocity of centre of pressure displacement (Vm).
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten older adults (7 males, 3 females; 69 ± 4 years) participated in this randomised controlled cross-over study in which they performed EB and CONV training sessions that were matched for total work and a control condition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immediately post-exercise there was a statistically significant difference in platelet count between the control condition, in which it had declined (pre 224 ± 35 109/L; post 211 ± 30 109/L: P < 0.05) and CONV in which it had increased (pre 236 ± 55 109/L; post 242 ± 51 109/L: P > 0.05). There was no change in platelet activation and granule exocytsosis or Vm following EB and CONV.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, while minor differences between regimens were observed, no major adverse effect on parameters of platelet function or centre of pressure displacement were observed acutely following either regimen. Eccentrically-biased and conventional resistance exercise training regimens do not appear to present an elevated acute risk in the context of changes to platelet function contributing to a cardiac event or postural stability increasing falls risk for apparently healthy older adults.
authors.affiliation: Professor Stephen Bird, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University, Health Innovations Research Institute and School of Medical Sciences, Bundoora West Campus, PO Box 71, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia, Phone: +(61 3) 9925 7257, E-mail: Stephen.Bird@rmit.edu.au.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Selva Raj
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Westfold
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Shield
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Linden
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Bird