PhD Scientific Days 2024

Health Sciences I.

Effects of Eccentric Overload Resistance Training on Muscle Quality, Balance and Cost of Walking in Older Individuals

Text of the abstract

Introduction: Normal aging leads to declines in neuromuscular and mobility functions, including a ~60% decline in maximal voluntary force by age 70, accompanied by a ~25% reduction in muscle volume and quality (sarcopenia). Aging also affects tendon properties, contributing to functional capacity reductions in walking speed and balance.
Aims:
Our study aims to determine the impact of resistance training, eccentrically-biased one on muscle-tendon function and associated changes in walking economy.
Methods:
● Participants: Approximately 60 individuals aged 60 and over will participate in a three-year study, randomized into two groups :
● Group 1: (Concentric contraction) 5 sets of 12 repetitions; Group 2: (Eccentric contraction)
5 sets of 10 repetitions, a 40% overload.
Exercises include bilateral seated leg press, knee extension, and ankle press under metronome control.
• Measurements: We plan to measure before and after training: maximal voluntary force, passive elastic properties, muscle thickness, whole leg muscle content, metabolic cost of transport during walking, single leg calf-raise test, and whole-body kinematic and kinetic gait analysis.
Results: We anticipate that eccentric overload resistance training will positively impact muscle-tendon properties, potentially reducing the cost of transport during walking. This expectation is based on existing data suggesting that resistance training, especially eccentrically-biased training, improves tendon stiffness, facilitating more efficient force transfer and reducing the cost of transport during gait. Additionally, increased sliding capacity between adjacent Achilles sub-tendons may enhance biomechanical function during walking.
Discussion & conclusion: The findings of this study hold significant implications for exercise prescription in aging. To reduce age-related declines in neuromuscular and mobility functions. Eccentric overload resistance training emerges as a potential intervention to enhance muscle-tendon properties, thereby positively impacting walking economy. The potential association between improved measures of muscle-tendon function underlying improved walking economy provided novel options to prescribe exercise in aging and improve quality of life.
Funding: This study is funded by Semmelweis University.