Effect of long term resistance training on a senior population with trained peer leadership

Purpose: The goal of this study was to examine the physical effects of a two-year peer-led resistance training and aerobic program in a group of community dwelling older adults.

Methods: Nine community-dwelling older adults (Age = 81.2 ± 7.1 yrs; Males = 1, Females = 8) were trained for six weeks, monitored and corrected for one year, and then completed two years of peer-led weight training three days/week. Pre and post training physical function assessments included 6-minute walk distance (endurance, functional mobility and gait speed), 8 foot timed up-and-go (balance and agility), back scratch (shoulder flexibility), sit-and-reach (flexibility), number of chair stands in 30 seconds (lower-body muscular endurance), number of arm curls in 30 seconds (upper-body muscular endurance). Data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA.

Results: There were no significant differences found between post-test 1 and post-test 3 in any of the measures. Any small decreases in the results can be accounted for by the increasing age of the individuals involved over the testing period. The preliminary results are as follows

1. 6-minute walk (-13 meters in 6-min)

2. 30 sec Arm Curls (+3.5 curls in 30 sec)

3. 8’ up-and-go (-0.6 seconds over 8 feet)

4. Chair stands in 30 sec (-0.55 stands in 30 sec)

5. Sit and Reach (-0.17 inches)

6. Back Scratch (-1.17 inches)

Conclusions: The results of this project suggest that a peer-led physical conditioning program is an effective approach for maintaining the physical functioning of community-dwelling older adults.