The acute physiological effects of high- and low-velocity resistance exercise in older adults

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine if workload matched, high-velocity (HVE) and low-velocity (LVE) resistance exercise protocols, elicit differing acute physiological responses in older adults. Ten older adults completed three sets of eight exercises on six separate occasions (three HVE and three LVE sessions). Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and blood lactate were measured pre-and post-exercise, heart rate was measured before exercise and following each set of each exercise. Finally, a rating of perceived exertion was measured following each set of each exercise. There were no significant differences in blood lactate (F (1,9) = 0.028; P = 0.872; g 2 P = 0.003), heart rate (F (1,9) = 0.045; P = 0.837; g 2 P = 0.005), systolic blood pressure (F (1,9) = 0.023; P = 0.884; g 2 P = 0.003) or diastolic blood pressure (F (1,9) = 1.516; P = 0.249; g 2 P = 0.144) between HVE and LVE. However, LVE elicited significantly greater ratings of perceived exertion compared to HVE (F (1,9) = 13.059; P = 0.006; g 2 P = 0.592). The present workload matched HVE and LVE protocols produced comparable physiological responses, although greater exertion was perceived during LVE.

Movement velocity during high- and low-velocity resistance exercise protocols in older adults

“…Furthermore, training at a high-movement velocity with 40% of 1-RM for 12-14 repetitions has been shown to elicit similar improvements in strength and power, as training at a low movement velocity for 8-10 repetitions with 80% 1-RM (Sayers and Gibson 2014). Additionally, Richardson et al (2017) observed that ratings of perceived exertion were significantly greater in a group of older adults when training at 80% 1-RM at a low-movement velocity compared to 40% 1-RM at a high-movement velocity, even when total volume-load was matched. Therefore, if HVLL elicits comparable improvements in strength and functional performance to LVHL, while being perceived as less exerting, HVLL may be a preferential form of resistance exercise for the older population.…”