Author(s): Martins, Alexandre Duarte ; Batalha, Nuno ; Fernandes, Orlando ; Gonçalves, Bruno ; Oliveira, Rafael ; Brito, João Paulo
Date: 2025
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.15/5803
Origin: Repositório Científico do Instituto Politécnico de Santarém
Subject(s): Velocity-based training; Strength training; Aged; Exercise; Cognition; Physical Fitness
Purpose This study investigated the effects of a 16-week high-speed resistance training (HSRT) program on physical and cognitive function in independent older adults. Methods Seventy-nine participants were assigned to an intervention group (IG, N= 40, 68.50 ± 3.54 years) or a control group (CG, N = 39, 72.08 ± 5.89 years). The IG completed 60–70 min of supervised HSRT three times weekly for 16 weeks. All concentric actions were continuously monitored with a BEAST™ sensor. Physical function was evaluated by five tests: chair‐stand, timed up and go (TUG), seated medicine ball throw (SMBT), six-minute walk (6MWT), and handgrip strength. General cognitive function was assessed with the mini-mental state examination (MMSE). Results The intervention could induce significant improvements in favor of the IG (p < 0.001) for chair-stand ( 2 p = 0.736), TUG test ( 2 p = 0.635), SMBT ( 2 p = 0.331), 6MWT ( 2 p = 0.386), and handgrip strength test for dominant ( 2 p = 0.448) and non-dominant side( 2 p = 0.388), as well as in general cognitive function (MMSE, p = 0.001, 2 p = 0.146). Conclusions The 16-week HSRT program led to substantial enhancements in both physical and cognitive function. Inter estingly, the HSRT program, tailored to general velocity zones, proved to be a safe and motivational approach to physical exercise within this population.
