Adaptations in mechanical muscle function, muscle morphology, and aerobic power to high-intensity endurance training combined with either traditional or power strength training in older adults: a randomized clinical trial

• Published in: European journal of applied physiology Vol. 120; no. 5; pp. 1165 - 1177
• Main Authors: Müller, Diana Carolina, Izquierdo, Mikel, Boeno, Francesco Pinto, Aagaard, Per, Teodoro, Juliana Lopes, Grazioli, Rafael, Radaelli, Regis, Bayer, Henrique, Neske, Rodrigo, Pinto, Ronei Silveira, Cadore, Eduardo Lusa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.05.2020; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adaptation; Adaptation, Physiological; Aerobics; Aged; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Endurance Training; High-Intensity Interval Training; Human Physiology; Humans; Male; Mechanical properties; Muscle contraction; Muscle Strength; Muscle, Skeletal - physiology; Occupational Medicine/Industrial Medicine; Older people; Original Article; Physical training; Quadriceps muscle; Resistance Training; Sports Medicine; Sports training; Strength training; Concurrent training; Aging; Explosive force; HIIT; Functional capacity
• ISSN: 1439-6319; 1439-6327; 1439-6327
• DOI: 10.1007/s00421-020-04355-z

Purpose There is a lack of information on the effects of power training (PT) as an alternative to traditional strength training (TST) during concurrent training (CT) in older individuals. This study aimed to verify the neuromuscular adaptations that occurred following 16-week interventions with two CT models in older men: high-intensity interval training (HIIT) combined with either TST or PT. Methods Thirty-five older men (65.8 ± 3.9 years) were randomly assigned into one of two training groups CTS: TST + HIIT ( n  = 18) or CTP: PT + HIIT ( n  = 17). CTS performed resistance training at intensities ranging from 65 to 80% of 1 RM at slow controlled speed, whereas CTP trained at intensities ranging from 40 to 60% of 1 RM at maximal intentional speed. Lower body one-repetition maximum (1 RM), isometric rate of force development (RFD), countermovement jump (CMJ) muscle power output, quadriceps femoris muscles thickness (QF MT), and peak oxygen uptake ( V O 2peak ) were assessed before training and after 8 and 16 weeks of CT. Results Groups improved similarly in all primary outcomes ( P  < 0.05), with mean increases ranging: 1 RM (from 39.4 to 75.8%); RFD (from 9.9 to 64.8%); and CMJ muscle power (from 1.8 to 5.2%). Significant increases ( P  < 0.05) were observed in all secondary outcomes (QF MT, specific tension and V O 2peak ) with no differences between groups. Conclusion CT models were effective for improving maximal and explosive force (1 RM, RFD, and CMJ power), QF MT, and V O 2peak . Moreover, despite that using lower loading intensities, PT induced similar adaptations to those of TST.