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We sought to determine the effects of 12 months of power training on cognition, and whether improvements in body composition, muscle strength, and/or aerobic capacity (VO2peak) were associated with improvements in cognition in older adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Participants with T2D were randomized to power training or low-intensity sham exercise control condition, 3 days per week for 12 months. Cognitive outcomes included memory, attention/speed, executive function, and global cognition. Other relevant outcomes included VO2peak, strength, and whole body and regional body composition. One hundred and three adults with T2D (mean age 67.9 years; standard deviation [SD] 5.9; 50.5% women) were enrolled and analyzed. Unexpectedly, there was a nearly significant improvement in global cognition (p = .05) in the sham group relative to power training, although both groups improved over time (p < .01). There were significant interactions between group allocation and body composition or muscle strength in the models predicting cognitive changes. Therefore, after stratifying by group allocation, improvements in immediate memory were associated with increases in relative skeletal muscle mass (r = 0.38, p = .03), reductions in relative body fat (r = -0.40, p = .02), and increases in knee extension strength were directly related to changes in executive function (r = -0.41, p = .02) within the power training group. None of these relationships were present in the sham group (p > .05). Although power training did not significantly improve cognition compared to low-intensity exercise control, improvements in cognitive function in older adults were associated with hypothesized improvements in body composition and strength after power training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Age-related decline in muscle power may be an early indicator of balance deficits and fall risk, even in nonfrail adults. This study examined the dose-dependent effect of power training on balance performance in healthy older adults. Methods. One hundred twelve community-dwelling healthy older adults (69 [+ or -] 6 years) were randomized to 8-12 weeks of power training at 20% (LOW), 50% (MED), or 80% (HIGH) of maximal strength, or a nontraining control (CON) group. Participants trained twice weekly (five exercises: three sets of eight rapid concentric/slow eccentric repetitions) using pneumatic resistance machines. Balance, muscle performance (strength, power, endurance, contraction velocity), and body composition were measured. Results. Power training significantly improved balance performance (p .006) in participants who underwent power training compared to controls. Low intensity power training produced the greatest improvement in balance performance (p = .048). Average contraction velocity at low load (40% one repetition maximum [IRM]) fit baseline independently predicted improvement in balance following training (r = -.29, p = .004). Conclusions. Power training improves balance, particularly using a low load, high velocity regimen, in older adults with initial lower muscle power and slower contraction. Further studies are warranted to define the mechanisms underlying this adaptation, as well as the optimum power training intensity for a range of physiological and clinical outcomes in older adults with varying levels of health status and functional independence.

Background. Muscle power (force x velocity) recedes at a faster rate than strength with age and may also be a stronger predictor of fall risk and functional decline. The optimal training paradigm for improving muscle power in older adults is not known, although some literature suggests high velocity, low load training is optimal in young adults. Methods. One hundred twelve healthy older adults (69 [+ or -] 6 years) were randomly assigned to either explosive resistance training at 20% (G20), 50% (G50), or 80% (G80) one repetition maximum (1RM) for 8-12 weeks or to a nontraining control group (CON). Participants trained twice per week (five exercises; three sets of eight rapidly concentric and slow eccentric repetitions) using pneumatic resistance machines. Repeated-measures analysis of variance and covariance (ANOVA and ANCOVA) were used to determine the effects of training. Results. Average peak power increased significantly and similarly in G80 (14 [+ or -] 8%), G50 (15 [+ or -] 9%), and G20 (14 [+ or -] 6%) compared to CON (3 [+ or -] 6%) (p < .0001). By contrast, a positive dose-response relationship with training intensity was observed for relative changes in average strength (r = .40, p = .0009) and endurance (r = .43, p = .0005). Average strength increased in G80 (20 [+ or -] 7%), G50 (16 [+ or -] 7%), and G20 (13 [+ or -] 7%) compared to CON (4 [+ or -] 4%) (p < .0001). Average muscle endurance increased in G80 (185 [+ or -] 126%, p < .0001), G50 (103 [+ or -] 75%, p = .0004), and G20 (82 [+ or -] 57%, p = .0078) compared to CON (28 [+ or -] 29%). Conclusion. Peak muscle power may be improved similarly using light, moderate, or heavy resistances, whereas there is a dose-response relationship between training intensity and muscle strength and endurance changes. Therefore, using heavy loads during explosive resistance training may be the most effective strategy to achieve simultaneous improvements in muscle strength, power, and endurance in older adults.

Objective: To determine the effect of training intensity on the contributions of force and velocity to improvements in peak power (PP) after explosive resistance training in older adults. Methods: 112 healthy older adults (69 ± 6 yr) were randomized to explosive resistance training at 20% (G20), 50% (G50), or 80% (G80) maximal strength (1-repetition maximum) for 8-12 wk (twice weekly, 5 exercises, 3 sets of 8 explosive concentric/slow eccentric repetitions) using pneumatic resistance machines or a nontraining control group (CON). Results: Force at peak power (FPP) increased significantly and similarly among training groups compared with CON. Velocity at peak power (VPP) did not improve significantly and remained similar between all groups. Force contributed significantly more to PP production in G80 and G50 than in CON. The change in PP was independently predicted by changes in fat-free mass in G80 and by changes in both FPP and VPP in G50 and G20. Conclusion: Explosive resistance training in older adults results in the ability to produce higher PP outputs with heavier loads without loss of movement velocity. Moderate- to high-intensity training induced a greater relative contribution of force to PP production in this cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is projected to affect 439 million people by 2030. Medical management focuses on controlling blood glucose levels pharmacologically in a disease that is closely related to lifestyle factors such as diet and inactivity. Physical activity guidelines include aerobic exercise at intensities or volumes potentially unreachable for older adults limited by many co-morbidities. We aim to show for the first time the efficacy of a novel exercise modality, power training (high-velocity, high-intensity progressive resistance training or PRT), in older adults with T2D as a means for improving glycemic control and targeting many associated metabolic and physiological outcomes. Eligibility criteria included community-dwelling men and women previously diagnosed with T2D who met the current definition of metabolic syndrome according to the International Diabetes Federation. Participants were randomized to a fully supervised power training intervention or sham exercise control group for 12 months. Intervention group participants performed whole body machine-based power training at 80%1RM, 3 days per week. The control group undertook the same volume of non-progressive, low-intensity training. Participants were assessed at baseline, 6 months and 12 months and followed for a further 5 years, during which time participants were advised to exercise at moderate-high intensity. Glycemic control (HbA1c) and insulin resistance as measured by the homeostatic model assessment 2 (HOMA2-IR) were the primary outcomes of the trial. Outcome assessors were blinded to group assignment and participants were blinded to the investigators' hypothesis regarding the most effective intervention.Results: We recruited 103 participants (48.5 % women, 71.6 ± 5.6 years). Participants had 5.1 ± 1.8 chronic diseases, had been diagnosed with T2D for 8 ± 6 years and had a body mass index (BMI) of 31.6 ± 4.0 kg/m(2). Fasting glucose and insulin were 7.3 ± 2.4 mmol/L and 10.6 ± 6.3 mU/L, respectively. HbA1c was 54 ± 12 mmol/mol. Eighty-six participants completed the 12-month assessment and follow-up is ongoing. This cohort had a lower-than-expected dropout (n = 14, 14 %) over the 12-month intervention period.Conclusions: Power training may be a feasible adjunctive therapy for improving glycemic control for the growing epidemic of T2D in older adults.Trial Registration: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12606000436572 (24 September 2006). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE--To investigate changes in body composition after 12 months of high-intensity progressive resistance training (PRT) in relation to changes in insulin resistance (IR) or glucose homeostasis in older adults with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS--One-hundred three participants were randomized to receive either PRT or sham exercise 3 days per week for 12 months. Homeostasis model assessment 2 of insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were used as indices of IR and glucose homeostasis. Skeletal muscle mass (SkMM) and total fat mass were assessed using bioelectrical impedance. Visceral adipose tissue, mid-thigh cross-sectional area, and mid-thigh muscle attenuation were quantified using computed tomography. RESULTS--Within the PRT group, changes in HOMA2-IR were associated with changes in SkMM (r = 20.38; P = 0.04) and fat mass (r = 0.42; P = 0.02). Changes in visceral adipose tissue tended to be related to changes in HOMA2-IR (r = 0.35; P = 0.07). Changes in HbA1c were related to changes in mid-thigh muscle attenuation (r = 0.52; P = 0.001). None of these relationships were present in the sham group (P > 0.05). Using ANCOVA models, participants in the PRT group who had increased SkMM had decreased HOMA2-IR (P = 0.05) and HbA1c (P = 0.09) compared with those in the PRT group who lost SkMM. Increases in SkMM in the PRT group decreased HOMA2-IR (P = 0.07) and HbA1c (P < 0.05) compared with those who had increased SkMM in the sham group. CONCLUSIONS--Improvements in metabolic health in older adults with type 2 diabetes were mediated through improvements in body composition only if they were achieved through high-intensity PRT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Muscle power (force x velocity) recedes at a faster rate than strength with age and may also be a stronger predictor of fall risk and functional decline. The optimal training paradigm for improving muscle power in older adults is not known, although some literature suggests high velocity, low load training is optimal in young adults. Methods. One hundred twelve healthy older adults (69 ± 6 years) were randomly assigned to either explosive resistance training at 20% (G20), 50% (G50), or 80% (G80) one repetition maximum (IRM) for 8-12 weeks or to a nontraining control group (CON). Participants trained twice per week (five exercises; three sets of eight rapidly concentric and slow eccentric repetitions) using pneumatic resistance machines. Repeated-measures analysis of variance and covariance (ANOVA and ANCOVA) were used to determine the effects of training. Results. Average peak power increased significantly and similarly in G80 (14 ± 8%), G50 (15 ± 9%), and G20 (14 ± 6%) compared to CON (3 ± 6%) (p < .0001). By contrast, a positive dose-response relationship with training intensity was observed for relative changes in average strength (r = .40, p = .0009) and endurance (r = .43, p = .0005). Average strength increased in G80 (20 ± 7%). G50 (16 ± 7%), and G20 (13 ± 7%) compared to CON (4 ± 4%) (p < .0001). Average muscle endurance increased in G80 (185 ± 126%, p < .0001), G50 (103 ± 75%. p = .0004), and G20 (82 ± 57%, p = .0078) compared to CON (28 ± 29%). Conclusion. Peak muscle power may be improved similarly using light, moderate, or heavy resistances, whereas there is a dose-response relationship between training intensity and muscle strength and endurance changes. Therefore, using heavy loads during explosive resistance training may be the most effective strategy to achieve simultaneous improvements in muscle strength, power, and endurance in older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We examined the effect of power training on habitual, intervention and total physical activity (PA) levels in older adults with type 2 diabetes and their relationship to metabolic control., Materials and Methods: 103 adults with type 2 diabetes were randomized to receive supervised power training or sham exercise three times/week for 12 months. Habitual, intervention, and total PA, as well as insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), were measured., Results: Participants were aged 67.9 ± 5.5 yrs, with well-controlled diabetes (HbA1c = 7.1%) and higher than average habitual PA levels compared to healthy peers. Habitual PA did not change significantly over 12 months ( p = 0.74), and there was no effect of group assignment on change over time in habitual PA over 0-6 ( p = 0.16) or 0-6-12 months ( p = 0.51). By contrast, intervention PA, leg press tonnage and total PA increased over both 6- and 12-month timepoints ( p = 0.0001), and these changes were significantly greater in the power training compared to the sham exercise group across timepoints ( p = 0.0001). However, there were no associations between changes in any PA measures over time and changes in metabolic profile., Conclusion: Structured high-intensity power training may be an effective strategy to enhance overall PA in this high-risk cohort.