Neuromuscular Economy, Strength, and Endurance in Healthy Elderly Men

Abstract

Declines in muscular strength resulting from reduced neural activity may influence the reduction in aerobic capacity in older men. However, there has been little investigation into the relationship between muscular strength and economy of movement during aerobic exercise in elderly subjects. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the possible relationship between strength, aerobic performance, and neuromuscular economy in older men. Twenty-eight aged men (65 ± 4 years old) were evaluated in dynamic (1 repetition maximum test), isometric strength (maximal voluntary contraction), and rate of force development. Peak oxygen uptake, maximal workload, and ventilatory threshold were determined during a ramp protocol on a cycle ergometer. Throughout the same protocol, the neuromuscular economy (electromyographic signal) of the vastus lateralis was measured. Significant correlations were found between muscular strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, and neuromuscular economy (r = 0.43-0.64, p < 0.05). Our results suggest that cardiorespiratory capacity and economy of movement are associated with muscular strength during aging.

How to simultaneously optimize muscle strength, power, functional capacity, and cardiovascular gains in the elderly: an update

“…Several authors have demonstrated that strength and power development are also important for endurance performance in elderly populations (Izquierdo et al 2001b(Izquierdo et al , 2003Cadore et al 2011bCadore et al , 2012d. In a study by Izquierdo et al (2001a), the maximal and submaximal aerobic capacities of elderly subjects were positively related to maximal strength and power values of the lower limbs (r=0.44 to 0.56, P<0.05 to 0.01).…”

“…However, as expected, several studies have reported that the combination of strength and endurance training is a better strategy by which to improve the cardiovascular performance of the elderly when compared with strength training alone. Moreover, the performance of strength training simultaneously with endurance training does not impair the cardiovascular adaptations that are produced by endurance training alone (Wood et al 2001;Izquierdo et al 2004;Karavirta et al 2009Karavirta et al , 2011Holviala et al 2010Holviala et al , 2012Sillampää et al 2008Sillampää et al , 2009aCadore et al 2011b).…”

Adaptações neuromusculares ao treinamento de força e concorrente em homens idosos.

“…Contudo, a exemplo da taxa de produção de força, essas variáveis aparentam ser incrementadas somente quando ações musculares explosivas são agregadas ao treino 10 . Outro adaptação neural decorrente do TF é a melhora na economia neuromuscular 15,18,25 . Em estudo prévio do nosso laboratório, Cadore et al 15 observaram uma redução no sinal EMG normalizado a 40, 60 e 80% da força máxima isométrica (CIVM) pré treinamento no vasto lateral e 60 e 80% no reto da coxa, após o TF em indivíduos idosos.…”

Oxygen Consumption at 30 W of Exercise Is Surrogate for Peak Oxygen Consumption in Evaluation of Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Young-Adult African-American Females

“…Measurements of cardiorespiratory fitness using exercise tests at submaximal workloads can help determine occupational fitness and evaluate work-related disabilities associated with jobs requiring large physical workloads [11]. Another important use of submaximal cardiorespiratory fitness tests is to evaluate the advertised safety, cost-benefit, and health outcome claims of exercise and dietary regimens [12].…”

“…Another important use of submaximal cardiorespiratory fitness tests is to evaluate the advertised safety, cost-benefit, and health outcome claims of exercise and dietary regimens [12]. The association of low VO 2peak and decreased motor strength in a population of 60-year-old healthy men [11] suggests that submaximal cardiorespiratory fitness testing, physical therapy counseling, and interventions in such populations might decrease their high rate of daily activity- and work-related injuries, as well as the associated health care costs. The further importance of screening such a population for cardiorespiratory fitness is underscored by a report that low cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with high risk for sudden cardiac death in a population of middle-aged men [13].…”