Allenamento adattato in soggetti over 70: effetti sulla forza e sulla potenza muscolare degli arti inferiori

Aim: Purpose of the study was to detect any gain in the strength and power of the knee extensor muscles in a group of 23 elderly people after a training period of one year. Material and meyhod: The training program, held at a frequency of three weekly sessions, wad designed to provide strength and power training suitable for elderly people, exercises aimed to improve balance, coordination, gait and dynamic posture. It consisted of heating, aerobic work, strength work, flexibility, balance, stretching, strength-training exercises with machines and exercises using elastic bands. All the participants (10 males and 13 females over the age of 70 years, mean age 76.2 ± 3.7) were evaluated before (pre) and after (post) the completion of the training program carrying out two tests: a) maximum voluntary isometric contraction at 90° of extension (KE) of the extensor muscles of the knee joint; b) maximum power of the lower limbs (LP). Result: The maximum isometric force measured on the knee extensors (KE) has increased both in males and females. The same was observed regarding the power of the knee extensors (LP). Improvement in power (LP) was more significant in the female group (p = 0.0001, 0.0009) than in the male group (p = 0.0223, 0.0454). Conclusion: The results show that elderly subjects involved in a long term training at medium intensity ncrease the strength and power of the muscle groups involved; further studies could investigate if also qther qualities such as balance and coordination improve.Training programs like this could be then applied in order to enhance the general quality of life of eldery people.