Van Roie E, et al. – This study was performed on older adults to gauge the impacts of 24 weeks of detraining that followed 12 weeks of high– and low–load resistance exercise. Findings reported a reversal in muscle volume gains following 24 weeks of detraining, independent of load. This finding called for long–term resistance exercise adherence. Additionally, a similar magnitude of detraining in neuromuscular and functional adaptations was observed between groups. The outcomes underscored the importance of low–load resistance exercise in older age.

Methods

• In this study, researchers randomly assigned 56 older adults (68.0 ± 5.0 years) to leg press and leg extension training at either HIGH load (2 × 10–15 repetitions at 80% of one-repetition maximum (1-RM)), LOW load (1 × 80–100 repetitions at 20% of 1-RM), or LOW + load (1 × 60 repetitions at 20% of 1-RM, immediately followed by 1 × 10–20 repetitions at 40% 1-RM).
• All protocols ended with volitional fatigue.
• Mid-thigh muscle volume, leg press 1-RM, leg extension isometric and isokinetic strength, and functional performance were the main outcome measures.
• Tests were performed at baseline, post-intervention and after 24 weeks of detraining.

Results

• Findings demonstrated no impact of load on preservation of muscle volume, which returned to baseline after detraining.
• Researchers observed that training-induced gains in functional capacity and isometric strength were maintained, independent of load.
• They also noted that HIGH and LOW + were more beneficial than LOW for long-lasting gains in training-specific 1-RM.