The effects of eccentrically biased versus conventional resistance training in older adults

Abstract

The major objectives of this thesis were: (i) to compare the acute effects of eccentrically-biased and conventional resistance training on arterial stiffness, platelet reactivity, activation and count, postural stability and isometric force steadiness in older men and women; and (ii) to compare the effects 16-weeks of eccentrically- ABSTRACTAging in humans is associated with a loss in neuromuscular function and performance. This is related, in part, to the reduction in muscular strength and power caused by a loss of skeletal muscle mass (sarcopenia) and changes in muscle architecture. Due to these changes, the force-velocity (f-v) relationship of human muscles alters with age. This change has functional implications such as slower walking speeds. Different methods to reverse these changes have been investigated, including traditional resistance training, power training and eccentric (or eccentrically-biased) resistance training. This review will summarise the changes of the f-v relationship with age, the functional implications of these changes and the various methods to reverse or at least partly ameliorate these changes.