Muscle Activation in Older Females after a Community-Based Resistance Training Program: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Many randomized controlled trials utilizing resistance training have shown improvements in muscle activation in older adults. However, these programs lack applicability to community-dwelling older adults due to several challenges. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to test the effects of an eight-week community-based resistance training program on muscle activation in older adults. Eight females (age: 61 ± 4 years, body mass index (BMI): 31.7 ± 5.7 kg/m2) were enrolled in the study. The surface electromyography (sEMG) activity was evaluated before and after training for three muscles (biceps brachii, upper trapezius, and rectus femoris). Additional weight load tests were performed to measure muscle activation in response to the added resistance. After eight weeks of training, no changes were observed in muscle activation for biceps brachii and upper trapezius but was decreased for rectus femoris (p = 0.04). Furthermore, in response to weight loads, biceps brachii and upper trapezius improved muscle activation after training. In summary, eight weeks of community-based resistance training program non-significantly improved the activation of upper-body muscles in older adults.