High-intensity strength training in an older population: a preliminary study

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease worldwide, and it occurs mainly later in life. Many factors are associated with osteoarthritis development, including decline in muscle strength. Muscle strengthening exercises have been recognized as important approaches to osteoarthritis conservative management of the knee; however, issues related to its applicability in terms of intensity are still elusive. OBJECTIVE: Studies using high-intensity exercises have shown inconsistent results, thus the purpose of this study was to analyze the response to high-intensity strength training for muscle strength and physical function in an older healthy population, as well as their attitudes towards the strength training. METHODS: This study employed a within-subject, repeated measure, in an experimental design to assess the response to strength training for physical mobility and strength in a cohort of 10 healthy older subjects at baseline and after six weeks of intervention. RESULTS: The statistical analysis demonstrated that knee extensor isokinetic peak torque significantly improved (p < 0.05) after intervention, whereas knee flexors only showed a trend for improvement (p = 0.066). Repetition maximum tests had significant improvements for all exercises performed. There was no change in physical mobility after intervention (p = 0.163). CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate that high-intensity strength training was safe and has potential value in healthy older people.