Search

Aging causes several changes in the body, reducing strength and muscle mass, which leads to a decline in function. Resistance training (RT) is used to counteract these changes. However, there is still ongoing debate about the optimal volume of RT in the context of aging. We systematically reviewed articles that assessed the impact of different volumes of RT on muscular strength, functional fitness, and body composition of older people. We conducted a systematic search in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, LILACS, PEDro, and Google Scholar databases, using keywords related to the older population and various RT volumes. We performed meta-analyses for each outcome separately using intervention time in weeks for subgroup analyses. We employed random effects models for all meta-analyses and expressed the results as standardized mean differences (Hedges' g). We included 31 studies, encompassing a total of 1.744 participants. The sample size ranged from 18 to 376, with an average size of 56 participants. Participants' ages ranged from 60 to 83 years. On average, HV-RT (High-Volume Resistance Training) induced significant adaptations in muscle strength of the upper limbs (g = 0.36; 95 % CI = 0.11-0.61) and lower limbs (g = 0.41; 95 % CI = 0.23-0.59), with superiority more pronounced after 12 weeks of training. Regarding functional fitness, there was a tendency favoring HV-RT (g = 0.41; 95 % CI = 0.23-0.59). Thus, HV-RT outperforms LV-RT (Low-Volume Resistance Training) in enhancing muscle strength, particularly in longer interventions with independent older adults., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Aging is a natural process that, even in the nonattendance of complex diseases, is associated with a numerous behavioral change that attributes reduced muscle mass, power, strength and function. In addition, aging linked to low-grade inflammatory status, characterized by increased plasma concentrations of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6. Physical exercise is the main non-pharmacological strategy for improving the physical fitness of the aged individuals. However, it is still controversial whether exercise can reduce aging-mediated inflammation., Objective: To analyze the effects of functional (FT) and traditional (TT) training practice on muscle power and inflammatory profile in physically active older women., Methods: The study has been performed for twenty-six weeks in which twenty-four weeks utilized for training sessions and two weeks for physical and biochemical assessments. Forty-three older women (age FT: 64.25 ± 4.70, range: 60-75; TT: 64.90 ± 3.03, range: 60-71; Control: 65.91 ± 5.79, range: 60-75) were randomly divided into three groups: Functional (FT; n = 16); Traditional (TT; n = 16) training groups; and Control Group (CG; n = 11) respectively. Muscle power tests were performed by push (Bench press) and squatting (Squat) actions. The jumping ability was performed through Counter Movement Jump (CMJ). In addition, isometric strength were assessed by Hand Grip Test. Plasma cytokine concentration was measured using flow cytometry., Results: Functional and traditional training sessions subjected to aged women demonstrated a significant enhancement in their physical activity and muscle power. The trained individuals from above two groups showed significant improvements in all analyzed parameters excluding hand-grip. Functional and traditional training exercise reduced the plasma concentrations of TNF-α (FT: p = 0.0001; TT: p = 0.0410) and whereas FT group has reduced IL-6 (p = 0.0072), but did not affect the alterations of pre and post measurements of IL-2 (FT: p = 0.0651; TT: p = 0.2146) and IL-10 values (FT: p = 0.2658; TT: p = 0.3116). There was no significant difference in any of the test parameters between FT and TT groups., Conclusion: The functional and traditional training practices showed equivalent beneficial outcomes by increasing muscle power and reducing systemic markers associated with inflammation., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interest with the contents of this article., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

To evaluate the effects of functional and concurrent training on immune function and functional fitness in postmenopausal women. A randomized controlled trial was performed on 108 women aged 60 or older who were randomly assigned among the groups: control group (CG: n = 40; 63.88 ± 3.64 years); functional training (FT: n = 32; 63.88 ± 3.79 years); and concurrent training (CT: n = 36; 64.83 ± 4.00 years). Immune function was measured by the expression of the T-lymphocyte function-related surface markers (CD28 and CD57). Functional fitness was assessed using physical tests similar to daily activities, i.e., five times sit to stand, timed up and go, and gallon-jug shelf-transfer. Regarding immune function, there was only a time effect, without between-group differences. Specifically, FT and CT show a reduction and increase in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, respectively, without impairment in the subpopulations analyzed, while CG showed a reduction in naive T cells (CD8+CD28+). For functional fitness tests, there was a time × group interaction effect for all tests, the FT and CT were superior to the CG, with FT showing differences after the fourth week, while the CT showed this effect after the eighth week of intervention. FT and CT do not impair immune function and similarly improve functional fitness in postmenopausal women. RBR-2d56bt. • Functional and concurrent training do not impair immune function. • Four weeks of functional training increases functional fitness. • Eight weeks of concurrent training increases functional fitness. • Functional training seems to promote faster adaptations in functional fitness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]