Why Fast Velocity Resistance Training Should Be Prioritized for Elderly People

Abstract

ABSTRACT BECAUSE OF RECENT DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES WITH A GREATER PROPORTION OF ELDERLY PEOPLE IN THE WORLD, PHYSICAL INDEPENDENCE AMONG OLDER ADULTS IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY MORE IMPORTANT. THIS MINIREVIEW SUMMARIZES AND DISCUSSES NEUROMUSCULAR ADAPTATIONS IN RESPONSE TO RESISTANCE TRAINING WITH DIFFERENT CONTRACTION VELOCITIES IN UNTRAINED ELDERLY. SLOW AND FAST VELOCITY TRAINING CAN TO A SIMILAR EXTENT IMPROVE MUSCLE MASS AND MAXIMAL FORCE. HOWEVER, FAST VELOCITY RESISTANCE TRAINING IS SUPERIOR FOR IMPROVING POWER OUTPUT, EXPLOSIVE FORCE, AND FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY. THUS, FAST VELOCITY RESISTANCE TRAINING PROVIDES MORE EFFICIENT NEUROMUSCULAR ADAPTATIONS, INCREASING SIMULTANEOUSLY STRENGTH, POWER, EXPLOSIVE FORCE, MUSCLE MASS, AND FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY OF UNTRAINED ELDERLY.