title: Improvement in functional performance with high-speed power training in older adults is optimized in those with the highest training velocity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify whether variability in limb movement velocity during high-speed power training (HSPT) may impact physical functioning in older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  42 older men and women (71.3 ± 6.6 years) were randomized to lower extremity HSPT (n = 28) or control (CON; n = 14) (Analysis 1) for 12 weeks. A second analysis (Analysis 2) allocated HSPT into high-velocity (n = 14) or low-velocity (n = 14) based on a limb movement speed above or below the median average velocity during the 12-week HSPT intervention. Habitual gait speed, maximal gait speed, timed up-and-go, and the short physical performance battery were measured at baseline and 12 weeks. Change scores were compared between HSPT and CON (Analysis 1), and high-velocity, low-velocity, and CON (Analysis 2) using ANCOVA. Statistical significance was accepted at p < 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis 1 There were no group differences in habitual gait speed, maximal gait speed, or timed up-and-go between HSPT and CON (all p > 0.05). Short physical performance battery was greater in HSPT (0.96 ± 0.19) compared to CON (0.10 ± 0.26; p = 0.01). Analysis 2 There were no group differences in the change in habitual GS (p = 0.33) among high-velocity, low-velocity and CON. There were significant group differences in the change in maximal GS (p = 0.007), timed up-and-go (p = 0.03), and short physical performance battery (p = 0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is considerable variation in self-selected maximal limb velocity during HSPT in older adults. In the present cohort, an average limb velocity of 0.88 m/s during HSPT was necessary to ensure optimal improvement in functional performance for older adults, but this threshold will need further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, University of Missouri, 801 Clark Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, USA. sayerss@missouri.edu.
authors.forename: Stephen P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Sayers
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, University of Missouri, 801 Clark Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
authors.forename: Kyle
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, University of Missouri, 801 Clark Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bryan Mann
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D000072696:High-Intensity Interval Training / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Aging; Average velocity; Functional performance; Power training