Effects of high-resistance circuit training in an elderly population

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of a program of high-resistance circuit (HRC) training, and to compare the effects of HRC to traditional heavy strength (TS) training on strength, muscle size, body composition and measures of cardiovascular fitness in a healthy elderly population. Thirty-seven healthy men and women (61.6±5.3years) were randomly assigned to HRC (n=16), TS (n=14), or a control group (CG, n=7). Training consisted of weight lifting twice a week for 12weeks. Before and after the training, isokinetic peak torque in the upper and lower body, and body composition (dual X-ray absorptiometry) were determined. In addition, cardiovascular parameters were evaluated during an incremental treadmill test. Both HRC and TS groups showed significant increases in isokinetic strength (p