Isokinetic strength benefits after 24 weeks of multicomponent exercise training and combined exercise training in older adults

BACKGROUND AND AIMSStudies that have attempted to address the influence of exercise programs on muscle strength have usually analyzed single exercise training types. They have not often addressed multicomponent exercise interventions that combine strength, flexibility, balance and aerobic training. The aim of the present study was to assess and compare improvements in muscle strength induced by 24 weeks of two training regimens in elderly adults aged 65-82 years. METHODSParticipants underwent a multicomponent exercise program (ME, n=25, 69.4+/-4.1 yrs) or combined ME plus resistance training (CE, n=24, 68.7+/-4.2 yrs). Maximum strength of knee extensors (KE) and flexors (KF) was measured at 60 masculine/s and 180 masculine/s with an isokinetic dynamometer before and 12 and 24 weeks after the training programs. RESULTSThe CE group showed a significant increase in maximum voluntary knee extensors (22.3%, p