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Sports-Specific Training Techniques in an Older Population
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Researching and finding exercise
programs that are designed for the older adult:
"Researchers examined the histochemical and mechanical changes that
occur in skeletal muscle with aging, as well as their relationship to
frequency of falls and reduced ability to perform activities of daily
living (ADLs). Most of these studies have shown that age-related
muscle atrophy is selective for the faster-contracting (Type II)
muscle fibers and that the motor-unit restructuring associated with
aging favors the slower (Type I) fibers. These histochemical changes
are especially important in light of their functional correlations
with the fall incidence and ADL ability reductions."
"Aniansson et al found that hip-fracture patients showed a large
reduction in muscle cross-sectional area, especially in Type II
fibers. Whipple et al�reported that the greatest differences between
fallers and non-fallers were seen at the higher speeds of
contraction, especially when power (rate of work) was the variable
used in the analysis."
"It is the speed at which a person can move, not merely locomotion,
that is most highly correlated with independence. The theoretical
basis of our high-speed (HS) training prescription was research
showing that increases in strength at specific speeds of contraction
are dictated by the speed of training. This research shows that
higher contractile speeds during training produce greater
improvements in strength at higher velocities of movement and
confirms the need for HS training in the development of power. An
additional benefit of HS training is its superior effect on motor
performance."
"The HS group produced superior gains in the torque (P<0.05) and
power (P<0.02) at all speeds, and especially at the higher speeds
of contraction. Knee flexion data also showed the superiority of HS
training. Average power was superior for the HS group at all testing
speeds, as was peak torque�with the HS group producing superior
improvements, especially at higher contractile speeds�The HS group
was superior in maintaining balance during dynamic posturography."
"Data indicate the importance of incorporating the speed-specific
strategies used in athletics in training prescriptions for our aging
population. Exercise is preventative medicine and should be treated
as such. The incorporation of training is, therefore, an integral
part of any health program that concentrates on healthy, successful
aging. Sports-specific training is simply a recognition that ADLs are
dependent on our ability to perform."
Source:
Rehab Management - December/January 1997 - By Joseph F. Signorile,
PhD |
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