Age Does Not Attenuate Maximal Velocity Adaptations in the Ipsilateral and Contralateral Limbs During Unilateral Resistance Training

Abstract

This study examined the effects of unilateral resistance training (RT) on maximal velocity parameters in the ipsilateral and contralateral legs in young and older males. Young (n = 22; age = 21.55 ± 2.23 years) and older (n = 20; age = 65.10 ± 9.65 years) males were assigned to training or control groups. Unilateral isokinetic RT of the knee extensors was performed for 4 weeks. Peak velocity and acceleration were identified during a dynamic maximal voluntary contraction before (PRE), at Week 2 (MID), and after Week 4 (POST) of RT. Age-independent increases in peak velocity (1.5%) and acceleration (4.5%) were demonstrated at POST for the trained leg. For the untrained leg, acceleration increased (4.3%) at POST similarly between training groups. These findings provide evidence for the high degree of neuromuscular plasticity, regardless of age, during the early phase of RT, and the potential for cross education of acceleration.

Exploring the Relationship between Walking and Emotional Health in China

“…In this study, we found that walking had a positive effect on emotional health, which was consistent with previous research [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. A potential explanation for this could be that when walking, individuals may come in contact with nature, which soothes the body and mind.…”

“…Kekäläinen et al [ 25 ] demonstrated that walking was positively associated with participants’ mental, social, and subjective health. Moreover, research found that walking-based exercise training alleviated anxiety and depression in adults, and moderate and intense walking exercise promoted lower blood pressure and improved mental health by reducing negative emotions [ 26 , 27 ]. In addition, in individuals who generally prefer more casual forms of exercise, such as walking, increasing walking during leisure time can reduce the generation of negative emotions [ 28 ].…”

“…For instance, Ekkekkakis et al [ 31 ] identified a positive association between the duration of physical activity and mental health, but did not specifically examine walking as a form exercise. Yang et al [ 27 ] also pointed out the scarcity of data on the impact of walking time. Additionally, data on the effects of walking on mental health under different environmental conditions are not clear.…”

Dominant and nondominant leg press training induce similar contralateral and ipsilateral limb training adaptations with children

“…Cross-education has been extensively investigated since before the 20 th century (Scripture 1894). It involves the performance improvement of the untrained limb after a period of unilateral practice (i.e., strength, acceleration, skill, endurance) (Hortobagyi 2005;Carroll et al 2006;Farthing et al 2007;Farthing 2009;Hester et al 2018). Substantial evidence for cross-education has been demonstrated in adults for contralateral homologous muscles such as the quadriceps (Kannus et al 1992;Hortobagyi et al 1997;Evetovich et al 2001;Goodwill et al 2012;Latella et al 2012), elbow flexors (EF) (Ebersole et al 2002;Munn et al 2005;Adamson et al 2008), and hand grip muscles (Shields et al 1999;Manca et al 2016).…”

Social Marketing Intervention to Engage Older Adults in Balance Workshops for Fall Prevention: A Multicenter Quasi-Experimental Protocol Study

“…The association between PA and the risk of falling in elderly was recently evaluated by systematic review and meta-analysis. These analyses came out with the conclusion that the risk of being a recurrent faller (two or more self-reported falls over the follow-up period of 12–36 months) was 39% higher in older adults with the lowest levels of PA ( 5 ).…”