Author(s): SHERMAN, R., BROBAKKEN, M. F. BERG, O. K. TØIEN, T. UNHJEM, R. J. WANG, E. , Institution: MOLDE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, Country: NORWAY, Abstract-ID: 850

INTRODUCTION:
Strength training yields superior muscle strength and physical function in force-demanding tasks compared to recreational physical activity and sedentary behaviour. How these benefits evolve with age, particularly approaching life’s oldest years is unclear. This study is a follow-up to (Unhjem et al., 2019), and follows a cohort of lifelong strength trained, recreationally active and sedentary older adults over 10 years.
METHODS:
Maximal strength (1RM), early (0-100 ms) and late (100-200 ms) rate of force development (RFD), and functional performance following a decade among strength-trained master athletes (MA; n=6, 81±3yrs), recreationally active (AO; n=6, 82±7yrs), and sedentary older adults (SO; n=5, 82±4yrs).
RESULTS:
At follow-up, 1RM (kg) was higher in MA (143±48) and AO (115±43) than SO (90±42) (p<0.05). Concomitantly, MA (2892±727) displayed greater early RFD (N·s⁻¹) than AO (1390±281; p<.05), late RFD was greater in MA (2838±591) than AO (1477±232) and SO (1611±192; both p<.05). Chair-rise time (s) was shorter in MA (7.5±1.0) than SO (11.6±1.9), stair-climbing power (W) was greater in MA (360±129) than AO (262±87) (p<0.05). Walking speed (m·s⁻¹) was higher in MA (1.37±0.29) than SO (1.01±0.19) (p<0.05). From baseline, 1RM declined in MA (–23%) and AO (–15%, p<.05). Early RFD declined across all groups (MA: –55%, AO: –59%, SO: –50%; p<.05), as well as late RFD (MA: -49%, AO: -53%, SO: -43%; p<.05). Chair-rise time increased in MA (+26%) and SO (+29%, both p<.05). Stair-climbing power declined in MA (–49%), AO (–54%), and SO (–55%), and walking speed declined in MA (–9%), AO (–20%), and SO (–21%, all p<0.05).
CONCLUSION:
Strength training advantages in muscle strength and function were maintained in MA into very old age. Although AO displayed higher maximal strength than SO, this did not translate to attenuation of age-related loss of functional performance, highlighting strength training’s importance to healthy aging.