Novel Combined Training Approach Improves Sleep Quality but Does Not Change Body Composition in Healthy Elderly Women: A Preliminary Study

Effects of combined muscle power and endurance training with different volumes on functional and hemodynamic parameters in previously trained older adults

BACKGROUND

To promote optimal neuromuscular and cardiovascular gains in older adults, it seems crucial to investigate the effects of different combined training volumes in this population. Thus, the present study aimed to compare the effects of combined muscle power training (MPT) and endurance training (ET) with different volumes on functional and hemodynamic parameters in previously trained older adults.

METHODS

Twenty-five older adults were randomly assigned to either the lower-volume group (LVG; n = 13) or the higher-volume group (HVG; n = 12). In the LVG, participants performed 1 set of 6 repetitions for each exercise, followed by 10 min of walking exercise. In the HVG, participants performed 2 sets of 6 repetitions for each exercise, followed by 20 min of walking exercise. Lift from the ventral decubitus position (LPDV), timed up-and-go (TUG), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were assessed before and after 8 weeks.

RESULTS

Significant increases in LPDV test occurred in both groups after 8 weeks (p < 0.05). Additionally, significant improvements in TUG performance occurred in both groups from week 0 to week 8 (p < 0.05). However, no significant changes were observed between groups in functional parameters (p > 0.05). SBP and DBP remain unchanged (p > 0.05) in both groups over the experimental period.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that lower-volume and higher-volume of combined MPT and ET promoted improvements in functional parameters. This study has an important practical application, as it indicates that regardless of the volume (lower or higher), comparable improvements are observed in functional parameters in previously trained older adults.

Effects of Combined Training With Linear Periodization and Non-Periodization on Sleep Quality of Adults With Obesity

Background: Combined exercise training has proven effective in preventing and treating sleep disorders among obese adults. However, structured progression of intensity in sleep parameters remains poorly investigated within this population. Purpose: To verify the effects of non-periodized and linear periodization combined training on the sleep quality of obese adults. Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial involving adults with body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2, allocated to 3 groups: control (CG; n = 13), non-periodized training (NG; n = 9), and with linear periodization (PG; n = 13). Groups PG and NG trained for 16 weeks in 3 weekly sessions lasting of 60 minutes. The NG trained in 50-59% heart rate reserve (HRR) e 2 × 10-12 repetition maximum (RM) and the PG with progression in 3 mesocycles: 40-49%;50-59%; 60-69% HRR e 2x12-14; 2x10-12; 2 × 8-10 RM, with the total volume equated. Sleep quality was evaluated by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. For statistics, we used Generalized Estimation Equations considering p ≤ 0.05. Results: Sleep latency was reduced in both training groups after intervention (NG-Δ = -25.56 minutes p = .028; PG-Δ = -22.23 minutes p = .035), while significant improvements in sleep efficiency were found only in the NG (Δ = 20.67%; p = .042). Conclusion: Despite the NG's apparent superiority, which model has the best sleep effects on obese adults cannot be stated. Hence, caution is needed while extrapolating the results.

Effects of a dynamic combined training on impulse response for middle-aged and elderly patients with osteoporosis and knee osteoarthritis: a randomized control trial

Dynamic combined training is a crucial component in treating musculoskeletal conditions to increase muscle strength and improve functional ability. This randomized control trial aimed to examine the effect of dynamic combined training on muscle strength and contractile rate of force development (RFD) in patients with osteoporosis (OP) and knee osteoarthritis (KOA). 58 participants with OP or KOA were randomly assigned to a control group (CG) (CGOP, n = 12; CGKOA, n = 15) or training group (TG) (TGOP, n = 14; TGKOA, n = 17). The training group participated in a 12-week, three-days-per-week supervised program consisting of stretching and warm-up exercises (10 min), hydraulic resistance training (40 min), and cool-down and relaxation exercises (10 min). All participants were evaluated at baseline and post-training. The maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and contractile RFD at 0-200 ms increased significantly in middle-aged and older patients with OP. As for KOA, the dynamic combined training program was effective in improving the muscle strength. The maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and contractile RFD at 0-200 ms increased significantly (by 29.22%, P = .000 and 27.25%, P = .019, respectively) in middle-aged and older patients with OP. In the KOA group, MVC and contractile RFD improved but did not reach statistical significance. The dynamic combined training program is effective for health promotion in older adults with OP or KOA.

Do All Resistance Exercise Protocols Improve the Functional Parameters of the Elderly? A Review Study

Context: Aging has been associated with negative changes in the neuromuscular system, significantly impairing the performance of daily life activities. A number of studies have validated functional tests (e.g. timed-up-and-go, gait speed) for the assessment of daily activity performance in the elderly. Thus, it is critical to understand the role of exercise training in this context. The practice of resistance training (RT) has been found to promote muscle strength in the elderly; however, we cannot safely state that any of these resistance exercise protocols would lead to improved performance of functional parameters (e.g. timed-up-and-go, gait speed, getting out of a chair) of this population. To assess the effects of RT on functional parameters of the elderly and to undertake a detailed assessment of the exercise protocols surveyed. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, and PEDro databases were used to search the literature. A total of 917 articles were initially selected, of which 10 peer-reviewed articles met the search criteria. Results: In the included studies, the positive effects of RT on the functional parameters of the elderly were observed. The training protocols presented the following characteristics: duration of 12 – 16 - 24 - 36 - 60 - 72 sec and 96 sessions; frequency of 1 - 3 sessions per week; training volume of 2 - 5 sets of 4 - 15 repetitions; 40 - 60 - 90 - 120 - 180 sec rest interval between sets; 40 - 60 - 90 - 120 - 180 sec rest interval between exercises; 24 - 48 - 72 hour rest interval between sessions; 40 - 85% intensity of one maximum repetition; isotonic contractions, contraction velocity (as fast as possible-1 - 2 - 3 seconds to concentric and 2 - 3 seconds to eccentric phases). Conclusions: Although the benefits of RT were observed, it was not possible to determine that any of these resistance exercise protocols would lead to improved performance of functional parameters (e.g. timed-up-and-go, gait speed, getting out of a chair) of this population, given the limitations we found in the research papers reviewed.