Effects of Velocity-Based Resistance Training Programs on Muscle Mass and Performance in Healthy, Older Adults

Abstract

The purpose was to investigate the effects of different velocity-based resistance training programs on muscle mass and muscle performance in aging adults. Twenty-seven participants were randomized to one of three groups: slow-velocity (n = 9, 6 female, 3 male; 55.8 ± 6.8 yrs, 171 ± 9.9 cm, 75.0 ± 11.4 kg; taking 2 seconds to perform the concentric and eccentric phase of each muscle contraction), fast-velocity (n = 9, 7 female, 2 male; 55.3 ± 4.9 yrs, 167.2 ± 6.4 cm, 79.1 ± 15.9 kg; performing the concentric phase as fast as possible and taking 2 seconds to perform the eccentric phase), or mixed-velocity (n = 9, 7 female, 2 male; 57.1 ± 7.3 yrs, 167.1 ± 9.9 cm, 70.6 ± 16.1 kg; performing slow-velocity repetitions for sets 1 and 3 and fast-velocity repetitions for sets 2 and 4). The supervised resistance training program was performed 3x/week for 12 weeks and consisted of 4 sets of 10 repetitions to volitional fatigue for 9 whole-body machine-based exercises (leg press, chest press, latissimus-pull down, shoulder press, leg extension, leg curl, biceps curl, triceps extension, calf press). Prior to and following training, the primary dependent variables assessed were whole-body lean tissue mass (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry [DEXA]), muscle thickness (ultrasonography; elbow and knee flexors and extensors, ankle plantar- and dorsi-flexors), muscle strength (1 repetition max [1 RM]) leg press and chest press), and isokinetic peak torque (1.05 rad/s and 3.14 rad/s). There was a significant increase over time (p < 0.05) for muscle strength and isokinetic peak torque at both velocities and muscle thickness of the knee extensors and ankle plantar flexors, with no significant difference between groups. Therefore, resistance training, regardless of movement velocity, improves muscle strength, muscle torque, and some measures of lower-body muscle thickness in healthy aging adults.