Short-term, light- to moderate-intensity exercise training improves leg muscle strength in the oldest old: a randomized controlled trial.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual randomized controlled trial
PubMed 21453381 · doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2011.03356.x
What was done
Forty nonagenarians (aged 90–97; 16 women and 4 men per group) residing in a geriatric nursing home were randomized to an 8-week light- to moderate-intensity resistance training intervention (30–70% of 1-repetition maximum [1RM] focused on the lower limbs) or a control group. Assessments included a primary outcome of 1RM leg press and secondary outcomes of handgrip strength, an 8-m walk test, a 4-step stairs test, the Timed Up and Go test, and fall incidence, with a subsequent 4-week detraining period.
What was found
A significant group-by-time interaction was observed for the 1RM leg press (P = .02), which increased in the intervention group by 10.6 kg (95% CI = 4.1–17.1 kg; P = .01). Participants in the intervention group had 1.2 fewer falls per person compared to controls (95% CI = 0.0–3.0; P = .03). No significant training effect was found for handgrip strength, the 8-m walk test, the 4-step stairs test, or the Timed Up and Go test.
Why it matters
This study demonstrates that individuals in their nineties retain neuromuscular plasticity and can improve lower-limb strength and reduce falls with accessible, moderate-intensity training.
Limits
The sample size was small (n = 40) and drawn entirely from a single nursing home. Functional performance tests showed no significant improvement, the reduction in falls had a 95% confidence interval bound at 0.0, and the abstract omitted specific quantitative values for the 4-week detraining phase.
Cited by
- supports Adults up to the age of 90 can gain muscle strength from participating in resistance exercise.