Improved Muscle Strength, Muscle Power, and Physical Function After Flywheel Resistance Training in Healthy Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

San ˜udo, B, de Hoyo, M, and McVeigh, JG. Improved muscle strength, muscle power, and physical function after flywheel resistance training in healthy older adults: A randomized controlled trial. J Strength Cond Res 36(1): 252-258, 2022-This study aimed to examine whether flywheel resistance exercise training improved muscle strength, muscle power, and physical function in older adults. Thirty-six older adults (64 6 5 years) were randomly allocated to either a flywheel resistance exercise training group (ETG; n 5 18) or a control (CON) group (n 5 18). Subjects in the ETG underwent 6 weeks of resistance training on a flywheel squat device (4 sets of 9 maximal repetitions). Isokinetic concentric (60 and 240˚•s 21 ) and eccentric (120˚•s 21 ) knee extension and flexion peak torques and mean power were measured. Physical function was assessed by the 30-second Chair Sit-Stand Test (CST) and walking speed. After the intervention, within-group analyses showed significantly greater flexion torques and mean power with the dominant leg (concentric at 60˚•s 21 and 240˚•s 21 and eccentric at 120˚•s 21 ; all d . 0.7, p , 0.05) and improvements in CST (d .0.8) in the ETG, while no substantial differences were found in the CON group. Significant between-group differences in knee flexion torque both concentric (at 60˚•s 21 : h 2 5 0.168 and 240˚•s 21 : h 2 5 0.112) and eccentric (at 120˚•s 21 : h 2 5 0.103) with the dominant leg were also found in favor of the ETG. There was also significantly better performance in the CST for the ETG (h 2 5 0.207). There was a significant association between changes in strength and changes in mean power in the ETG. Changes in physical function outcomes were also observed. In conclusion, flywheel resistance exercise training is an appropriate form of activity for improving strength and functional capacity of older adults.

Effects of Movement-Based Mind-Body Interventions on Physical Fitness in Healthy Older Adults: A Meta-Analytical Review

“…Performance improvements of upper and lower body strength in favor of MBI are plausible as exercise-based MBIs include various movement patterns that require adequate lower and upper body strength levels [50]. These findings are in line with previous studies on multimodal resistance training compared to IC conditions [51,52]. Static balance performance showed only small overall effects compared to moderate strength performance effects.…”

Effectiveness of eccentric-biased exercise interventions in reducing the incidence of falls and improving functional performance in older adults: a systematic review

“…from 6.25 ± 1.38 s to 5.42 ± 0.74 s Reduced, i.e., improved performance p < 0.01** Raj et al [ 28 ] Not specified Reduced, i.e., improved performance p = 0.08 SCT Dias et al [ 22 ] Not specified Reduced, i.e., improved performance p < 0.001*** Symons et al [ 30 ] Not specified Reduced, i.e., improved performance p < 0.03* MWS Dias et al [ 22 ] Not specified Reduced, i.e., improved performance p = 0.004** Gault et al [ 23 ] Percent change ± S.D. in s p eed = 22 ± 11% Increased, i.e., improved performance p < 0.01** Sanudo et al (2020) [ 14 ] Change (mean ± S.D.) from 4.89 ± 3.07 m/s to 4.66 ± 0.60 m/s Reduced, i.e., worsened performance p = 0.018* Raj et al [ 28 ] Change (mean ± S.D.)…”

“…The three important functions performed by eccentric muscle contractions are deceleration of a limb or limb part, force absorption, and controlling a movement against gravity/an external force. Most of the lower limb muscles must function in a controlled manner against gravity or support the bodyweight to maintain an upright position against gravity in day-to-day activities, and hence, eccentric muscle contractions are intrinsic to many daily activities [ 14 ]. Eccentric exercise interventions involve or focus on eccentric contractions and can be delivered using a wide array of exercises, equipment, and techniques.…”

Preliminary Study of the Effects of Eccentric-Overload Resistance Exercise on Physical Function and Torque Capacity in Chronic Kidney Disease

“…Investigations examining the application of resistance exercise using flywheel devices in older adults report increases in physical functioning, torque, power, neural activation, and tendon stiffness [ 41 , 42 , 43 ]. After 24 sessions of ERE, three of the four participants improved their SPPB performance by one point, meeting the minimally clinically important difference for this outcome measure [ 44 ].…”