Scheduled for Exercise Physiology and Fitness, Biomechanics and Sports Medicine Posters, Friday, April 4, 2003, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM, Convention Center: Exhibit Hall A


Determination of Optimal Muscular Power Development in Individuals Over Age Fifty

Bruce Thomas1, Chad Hobbs2, Yvette Bolen1 and Rhonda Bivens2, (1)Athens State University, Athens, AL, (2)Athens-Limestone Hospital Wellness Center, Athens, AL

The preservation of muscular power in older adults greatly decreases the risk of disability and enhances functional independence. Few studies have examined the impact that different training protocols have on muscular power in individuals over the age of fifty. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to examine whether muscular power can be improved to a greater extent by utilizing a power-training exercise program (PTEP) as opposed to a conventional strength-training exercise program (STEP). Thirteen active exercisers, over the age of fifty (M=62.2 years, SD=5.92), volunteered for study participation. The subjects were randomly assigned into either the 8-week (PTEP) group (4 men and 3 women) or the (STEP) group (3 men and 3 women). Three subjects did not satisfy study requirements and were eliminated from the study. The effectiveness of the muscular power-training program was evaluated by a three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) (Gender x Group x Time design), with repeated measures on time was performed on the power and strength variables of chest press (CP), lat machine (LM), and leg press (LP); as well as on body weight (BW) and fat free mass (FFM). Gender specific and group-related differences in baseline BW, FFM, and power and strength variables were assessed using t-tests. For all tests, the significance level was set at p < 0.05. Although group baseline BW, FFM, and gender baseline BW were statistically similar, gender baseline FFM revealed a statistical difference (p< 0.05). In addition, at baseline males had statistically greater power and strength scores on CP, LM and LP than did females (p<0.05). Group baseline power and strength CP, LM, and LP scores were statistically similar (p>0.05). BW was unchanged over the 8-weeks of resistance training, however FFM and power and strength CP, LM, and LP improved significantly over the same time period (p<0.05). The interaction of training group assignment and changes over time in BW, FFM, and power and strength CP, LM, and LP scores revealed non-significance (p>0.05). The interaction of gender and changes over time resulted in power CP score significance (p<0.05). In addition, the influence of training group and gender on changes over time revealed significance in BW (p<0.05). These findings suggest that a muscular power training program for individuals over the age of fifty, provides not only an alternative approach to training but produces similar power and strength improvements when compared to a conventional strength training program.

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