Effects of External Light Loading in Power-type Strength Training on Muscle Power of the Lower Extremities in Middle-aged Subjects

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of training either with a light load or without any load in a 16-week power-type strength training intervention in sedentary middle-aged subjects. A total of 85 subjects participated in the study. In a supervised 22-week training intervention, including 16 weeks of power-type strength training, 42 subjects (Light Load group = LL group) trained with a 1.1 kg weight on each ankle and 43 subjects (No Load group = NOL group) trained without any external load. Subjects were comparable concerning their training attendance, and anthropometric and physiological characteristics. Training effects were evaluated by measuring Vertical Squat Jump (VSJ), 20-metre Running Time (20 mRT), Maximal Anaerobic Cycling Power of leg muscles (MACP), and Maximal Oxygen Uptake (V·O_2max) before and after the intervention. The LL group improved VSJ and MACP significantly (p < 0.05), compared with the NOL group. No difference between the groups was observed in 20 mRT or in V·O_2max. To conclude, the external loads of 2.2 kg, in total, increased the efficiency of power-type strength training in vertical jumps and in anaerobic power in leg muscles, but not in sprint running.

Middle-aged - progression - sedentary - running technique - squat jump

References

• 1 Ashley C D, Weiss L W. Vertical jump performance and selected physiological characteristics of women.  J Strength Cond Res. 1994;  8 5-11
• 2 Aniansson A, Hedberg M, Henning G, Grimby G. Muscle morphology, enzymatic activity, and muscle strength in elderly men: a follow-up study.  Muscle Nerve. 1986;  9 585-591
• 3 Baker D, Nance S, Moore M. The load that maximizes the average mechanical power output during jump squats in power-trained athletes.  J Strength Cond Res. 2001;  15 92-97
• 4 Blair S N, Kohl H W, Barlow C E, Paffenberger R S, Gibbons L W, Macera C A. Changes in physical fitness and all-cause mortality: a prospective study of healthy and unhealthy men.  JAMA. 1995;  273 1093-1098
• 5 Borg G. Ratings of perceived exertion and heart rates during short-term cycle exercise and their use in a new cycling strength test.  Int J Sports Med. 1982;  3 153-158
• 6 Bosco C, Komi P V. Influence of aging on the mechanical behavior of leg extensor muscles.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1980;  45 209-215
• 7 Bosco C, Luhtanen P, Komi P V. A simple method for measurement of mechanical power in jumping.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1983;  50 273-282
• 8 Cronin J B, McNair P J, Marshall R N. The role of maximal strength and load on initial power production.  Med Sci Sport Exerc. 2000;  32 1763-1769
• 9 Delecluse C, Coppenolle H V, Willems E, Leemputte M V, Deils R, Goris M. Influence of high-resistance and high-velocity training on sprint performance.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1995;  27 1203-1209
• 10 Delecluse C. Influence of strength training on sprint running performance.  Sports Med. 1997;  24 147-156
• 11 Driss T, Vandewalle H, Quievre J, Miller C, Monod H. Effects of external loading on power output in a squat jump on a force platform: A comparison between strength and power athletes and sedentary individuals.  J Sports Sci. 2001;  19 99-105
• 12 Feigenbaum M S, Pollock M L. Prescription of resistance training for health and disease.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1999;  31 38-45
• 13 Häkkinen K, Komi P V. The effect of explosive type strength training on electromyographic and force production characteristic of leg extensor muscles during concentric and various stretch-shortening cycle exercises.  Scand J Sport Sci. 1985;  7 65-76
• 14 Häkkinen K, Häkkinen A. Neuromuscular adaptations during intensive strength training in middle-aged and elderly males and females.  Electromyogr Clin Neurophysiol. 1995;  35 137-147
• 15 Häkkinen K, Alen M, Kallinen M, Newton R U. Neuromuscular adaptation during prolonged strength training, detraining and re-strength-training in middle-aged and elderly people.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2000;  83 51-62
• 16 Izquierdo M, Ibanez J, Gorostiaga E, Garrues M, Zunica A, Anton A, Larrion J L, Häkkinen K. Maximal strength and power characteristics in isometric and dynamic actions of the upper and lower extremities in middle-aged and older men.  Acta Physiol Scand. 1999;  167 57-68
• 17 Izquierdo M, Aguado X, Gonzalez R, Lopez L, Häkkinen K. Maximal and explosive force production capacity and balance performance in men at different ages.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1999;  79 260-267
• 18 Jaric S, Ristanovic D, Corcos D M. The relationship between muscle kinetic parameters and kinematic variables in a complex movement.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1989;  59 370-376
• 19 Kaneko M, Fuchimoto T, Toji H, Suel K. Training effect of differing loads on the force-velocity relationship and mechanical power output in human muscle.  Scand J Sport Sci. 1983;  2 50-55
• 20 Komi P V, Karlsson J, Tesch P, Suominen H, Heikkinen E. Effects of heavy resistance and explosive type strength training methods on mechanical, functional and metabolic aspects of performance. Komi PV
• 21 Kraemer W J. A series of studies: the physiological basis for strength training in American football: fact over philosophy.  J Strength Cond Res. 1997;  11 131-142
• 22 Kuorinka I, Jonsson B, Kilbom Å, Vinterberg H, Biering-Sörensen F, Andersson G, Jörgensen K. Standardised Nordic Questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms.  Appl Ergon. 1987;  18 233-237
• 23 Lexell J, Taylor C C, Sjöström S. What is the cause of the ageing atrophy?.  J Neurol Sci. 1988;  84 275-294
• 24 MacDougall J D, Hicks A L, MacDonald J R, McKelvie R S, Green H J, Smith K M. Muscle performance and enzymatic adaptations to sprint interval training.  J Appl Physiol. 1998;  84 2138-2142
• 25 Marx J O, Ratamess N A, Nindl B C, Gotshalk L A, Volek J S, Dohi K, Bush J A. et al . Low-volume circuit versus high-volume periodized resistance training in women.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001;  33 635-643
• 26 Mazzetti S A, Kraemer W J, Volek J S, Duncan N D, Ratamess N A, Gomez A L, Newton R. et al . The influence of direct supervision of resistance training on strength performance.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2000;  32 1175-1184
• 27 McBride J M, Triplett-McBride T, Davie A, Newton R U. The effect of heavy- vs. light-load jump squats on the development of strength, power, and speed.  J Strength Cond Res. 2002;  16 75-82
• 28 Moss B M, Refsnes A, Abildgaard K, Nicolaysen K, Jensen J. Effects of maximal effort strength training with different loads on dynamic strength, cross-sectional area, load-power and load-velocity relationships.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1997;  75 193-199
• 29 Paavolainen L, Häkkinen K, Hämäläinen I, Nummela A, Rusko H. Explosive-strength training improves 5-km running time by improving running economy and muscle power.  J Appl Physiol. 1999;  86 1527-1533
• 30 Pate R R, Pratt M, Blair S N, Haskell W L, Macera C A, Bouchard C, Buchner D, Ettinger W, Heath G W, King A C, Kriska A, Leon A S, Marcus B H, Morris J, Paffenberger R S, Patrick K, Pollock M L, Rippe J M, Sallis J, Wilmore J H. Physical activity and public health. A recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Sports Medicine.  JAMA. 1995;  273 402-407
• 31 Pollock M L, Gaesser G A, Butcher J D, Despres J-P, Dishman R K, Franklin B A, Garber C E. The recommended quantity and quality of exercise for developing and maintaining cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, and flexibility in healthy adults. Position stand.  Med Sci Sport Exerc. 1998;  6 975-991
• 32 Proctor D N, Sinning W E, Walro J M, Sieck G C, Lemon P WR. Oxidative capacity of human muscle fiber types: effects of age and training status.  J Appl Physiol. 1995;  78 2033-2038
• 33 Rusko H, Nummela A, Mero A. A new method for the evaluation of anaerobic running power in athletes.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1993;  66 97-101
• 34 Rusko H K, Nummela A. Measurement of maximal and submaximal anaerobic performance capacity: concluding chapter.  Int J Sports Med. 1996;  17 125-129
• 35 Sale D G. Influence of exercise and training on motor unit activation.  Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 1987;  15 95-151 (review)
• 36 Samson M M, Meeuwsen B AE, Crowe A, Dessens J AG, Duursma S A, Verhaar H JJ. Relationships between physical performance measures, age, height, and body weight in healhy adults.  Age and Ageing. 2000;  29 235-242
• 37 Surakka J, Alanen E, Aunola S, Karppi S-L, Lehto P. Adherence to a power-type strength training programme in sedentary, middle-aged men and women.  Adv Physiother. 2004;  6 99-110
• 38 Thelen D, Schultz N, Alexander N, Ashton-Miller J. Effects of age on rapid ankle torque development.  J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 1996;  51 A M226-M232
• 39 Wilson G J, Newton R U, Murphy A J, Humphries B J. The optimal training load for the development of dynamic athletic performance.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1993;  25 1279-1286
• 40 Winters-Stone K M, Snow C M. Musculoskeletal responses to exercise is greatest in women with low initial values.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003;  35 1691-1696
• 41 Young W B, Bilby C E. The effect of voluntary effort to influence speed of contraction on strength, muscular power, and hypertrophy development.  J Strength Cond Res. 1993;  7 171-178