Effects of Combined Strength and Endurance Training on Treadmill Load Carrying Walking Performance in Aging Men

Abstract

The present study examined the effects of twice weekly total body strength training (ST), endurance cycling (ET), and combined ST and ET (2+2 times a week) (SET) training on the load carrying walking test performance on the treadmill (TM) and changes in neuromuscular and endurance performance during a 21-week training period in aging men. Forty healthy men (54.8+/-8.0 years) were divided into 3 training groups (ET n=9, ST n=11, SET n=11) and a control group (C, n=9). Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), heart rate, and blood lactate concentration were measured before and after a 21-week training program using a graded TM and maximal incremental bicycle ergometer (BE) tests. Isometric forces, vertical jump, and electromyographic activity of leg extensor and/or forearm flexor (F) muscles were measured before and after training and the TM tests. Increases of 20-21% in strength and of 7-12% in cycling BE VO2peak occurred in the training groups, whereas the changes of C remained minor. VO2peak was associated, both before and after training, with TM exercise time in all groups (from r=0.65, p=0.030 to r=0.93, p<0.001). Only SET showed a significant training-induced increase (p=0.011) in exercise time of the TM walking with no significant increase in TM VO2peak. The present data suggest that in older men ET and SET induced specific increases in BE VO2peak and ST and SET in strength. However, only SET increased walking exercise time indicating improved load carrying walking performance because of large individual differences in the magnitude of the development of either strength or endurance capacities.

Heterogeneity in resistance training-induced muscle strength and mass responses in men and women of different ages

“…Thus, maximal muscle strength gains may be mediated largely by adaptations in the nervous system during the first months of RT. Indeed, this is supported by previous findings in the part of the present subjects showing significant RT-induced increases in the m.vastus lateralis and/or medialis electromyography activity (Häkkinen et al 1998;Häkkinen et al 2000a, b;Häkkinen et al 2001a, b;Holviala et al 2010;Karavirta et al 2011a;Mikkola et al 2012;Holviala et al 2012;Walker et al 2014). Interestingly, some of the present subjects respond poorly in hypertrophy (i.e., ranked to lowest quintile in muscle size changes in Fig.…”

How to simultaneously optimize muscle strength, power, functional capacity, and cardiovascular gains in the elderly: an update

“…The majority of the studies reported that concurrent training induced similar strength adaptations using two sessions per week of each modality on separate days (i.e., strength and endurance) when compared with strength training alone (Holviala et al 2010;Sillampää et al 2008;Karavirta et al 2011). However, concurrent training sessions three times per week can result in an interference effect in the elderly, because greater strength gains are observed in the strength training group when compared with the concurrent training group when this weekly frequency is performed (Cadore et al 2010).…”

“…Twelve original research studies that investigated the effects of concurrent training in the elderly were included, and their results were described. From these studies, 10 compared the effects of concurrent training with strength training and endurance training that were performed alone (Wood et al 2001;Izquierdo et al 2004;Sillampää et al 2008Sillampää et al , 2009aCadore et al 2010Cadore et al , 2011aHolviala et al 2010Holviala et al , 2011Karavirta et al 2009Karavirta et al , 2011, and two studies compared different types of concurrent training (Cadore et al 2012a, b).…”

“…This phenomenon may occur due to the negative influence of endurance training performance on strength training-induced neuromuscular adaptations (Dolezal and Potteiger 1998;Kraemer et al 1995). Although several studies have focused on concurrent training in young populations García-Pallares and Izquierdo 2011;Izquierdo-Gabarren et al 2010;Cadore et al 2012c;Silva et al 2012), a limited number of studies have explored the effects of concurrent training on strength and endurance performance in older individuals (Izquierdo et al 2004;Cadore et al 2010Cadore et al , 2012aHolviala et al 2010;Sillampää et al 2008;Karavirta et al 2011). Certain studies have recently examined the influence of volume and intensity manipulation and the effects of the intra-session exercise sequence on concurrent training adaptations (Izquierdo et al 2004(Izquierdo et al , 2005Cadore et al 2010Cadore et al , 2011aCadore et al , 2012a.…”

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“…Studies were primarily focused on effects of the Pilates exercise on body composition, trunk flexibility and posture stability (Donahoe-Fillmore et al, 2007;Otto et al, 2004;Wells et al, 2012). A combination of strength and endurance training in elderly populations has been postulated as the most effective strategy for improving neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory functions, to maintain functional capacity, and to promote health (Cadore et al, 2011;Holviala et al, 2010). The workplace has become a key target for health promotion programmes aimed at increasing physical activity and preventing chronic disease (WHO, 2002a,b;WHO & World Economic Forum, 2008).…”