0000000000082680
AUTHOR
Paolo Capodaglio
Strength and power changes of the human plantar flexors and knee extensors in response to resistance training in old age
Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess and compare the improvements of muscle strength and power induced by a 16-week resistive programme in a population of 16 older men aged 65-81 years. Methods: Training was performed three times per week at an intensity of 80% of one repetition maximum (1RM) and consisted of both calf raise and leg press exercises. Before-, during- and after-training, maximum isometric and isokinetic torques, maximum power, 1RM, muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) and electromyographic activity (EMG) of the plantar flexors (PF) and knee extensors (KE) were examined. Results: For the KE and PF, respectively, training resulted in a 29.9 ± 4.4% (mean ± SE) and 21.6 ±…
Disability assessment in an Italian cohort of patients with obesity using an International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF)-derived questionnaire.
Background Obesity is a clinical condition that contributes to the development of related disability in different areas (physical, psychological and social). Multidisciplinary treatment calls for specific instruments able to evaluate all related functional problems. We have developed a tool (an ICF-based assessment instrument, the ICF-OB schedule) to evaluate obesity-related disability, composed of an inventory of 71-items from the WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Aim The aim of the present study was to validate this new tool for the definition of obesity-related disability. We also sought to examine the relationship between obesity disability, a…
Effectiveness of a home-based strengthening program for elderly males in Italy. A preliminary study
Background and aims: The practice of regular physical exercise has been shown to be effective in slowing the age-related progressive functional deterioration. Most exercise trials have been conducted with supervised training programs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a 4-month home-based strength training on strength, function and personal satisfaction. Methods: Ten elderly men (mean age 68.5 years) were enrolled for home-based training one month after completing a 4-month supervised program; 12 age-matched men served as the control group. Subjects were asked to perform 3 sessions a week consisting of six resistance exercises with elastic bands involving the…
Muscle function and functional ability improves more in community-dwelling older women with a mixed-strength training programme
Supervised training can reach a limited number of elderly people.To determine the impact of a 1-year mixed-strength training programme on muscle function (MF), functional ability (FA) and physical activity (PA).Twice-a-week hospital-based exercise classes and a once-a-week home session.twenty-eight healthy community-dwelling men and women on the training programme and 20 controls aged over 75 years.Training with two multi-gym machines for the lower limbs at 60% of the repetition maximum (1RM). At-home subjects used elastic bands.Maximum isometric strength of knee extensors (KE), ankle plantar flexors (PF), leg extensor power (LEP), functional reach (FR), chair rise 1 (CR1) and 10 times (CR1…
Plantar flexor activation capacity and H reflex in older adults: adaptations to strength training.
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the voluntary neural drive and the excitability of the reflex arc could be modulated by training, even in old age. To this aim, the effects of a 16-wk strengthening program on plantar flexor voluntary activation (VA) and on the maximum Hoffman reflex (Hmax)-to-maximum M wave (Mmax) ratio were investigated in 14 elderly men (65–80 yr). After training, isometric maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) increased by 18% ( P < 0.05) and weight-lifting ability by 24% ( P < 0.001). Twitch contraction time decreased by 8% ( P < 0.01), but no changes in half relaxation time and in peak twitch torque were observed. The VA, assessed by twitch …
Effects of a partially supervised training program in subjects over 75 years of age
Background and aims: Partially supervised training programs may be preferable than class-based ones in older subjects because the adherence rate is more likely to be good and they cost less. The main purpose of this investigation was to provide some evidence of the effectiveness of a 4-month partially supervised training program. We compared it with a class-based program focusing on the knee extensor (KE) and ankle plantar flexor (APF) muscles. Methods: We selected for the study 14 subjects over 75 years of age (75+), age range 75 to 83 years with a mean age of 77.8, and 14 subjects over 65 years of age (65+), age range 65 to 72 years, mean age 66.3 years. They were moderately physically ac…