Chronic Effects of Different Types of Neuromuscular Training on Hemodynamic Responses Estimated VO2max, and Walking Performance in Older People

Abstract

This paper investigated the effects over time of different forms of neuromuscular training on hemodynamic responses, the estimated VO2max, and walking performance. 105 older adults were randomly organized into three groups: RGA, RGB, and the Control Group (CG). RGA and RGB did 4 weeks of adaptation phase training and 12 weeks of intervention with different loads: moderate loads for RGB. and higher loads for RGA. A pre- and post-evaluation of the resting heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), double product (DP), estimated VO2max, and walking performance were assessed. Significant differences were observed for SBP, DBP, HR, and DP. For SBP, a post-evaluation reduction was observed only in RGA (p = 0.007) and when comparing RGA with the Control Group (p < 0.000). For the absolute VO2max, a significant improvement was seen in RGB compared to RGA (p = 0.037) and CG (p < 0.000). For the relative VO2max, RGB scored significantly higher than RGA (p < 0.000) and CG (p < 0.000), post-intervention. For the walk test, a significant reduction in completion times was observed for RGA (p = 0.027) and RGB (p < 0.000), and for RGB compared to RGA (p = 0.000) and CG (p < 0.000). Resistance training can be an excellent strategy for hemodynamic and cardiorespiratory improvement in the elderly.