Plyometric Exercise to Improve Rapid Force Production in Older Men

NCT03645772 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: S60983
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 42
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Rapid force production declines as a consequence of ageing. Given the functional relevance of rapid force production, exercise interventions in older adults should aim at improving the capacity to produce force rapidly. To improve this capacity, exercises should be performed with the intention to develop high speeds, as supported by previous work. Human locomotion fundamentally consists of multi-joint movements and rapidly coupled eccentric-concentric muscle actions, known as stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) activities or plyometrics. Plyometrics might therefore be used to optimize power production. However, there is limited research on the feasibility of plyometrics in older adults and its potential effects on rapid force production and functional capacity. This study will test the feasibility of a 12-week plyometric exercise intervention in older men and compare its effects on rapid force production to a traditional resistance exercise or walking intervention.

Conditions

Exercise Training

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Rapid force production

  Subjects perform a test protocol on a sledge apparatus, consisting of explosive isometric voluntary contractions for the leg-extensor muscles of the right leg. The inclination of the sledge is 20° to horizontal. The seat of the sledge is inclined backwards (130°). The knee joint angle is set at 90° and the hip angle at 70°. The point of force application is aligned with the head of the fifth metatarsal. Subjects are instructed to kick as fast and as hard as possible and maintain their maximum force for approximately 3s. The rate of force development (N/s) is defined as the linear slope of the force-time curve and is measured from the onset of movement till 100 ms.

  Change from baseline in rapid force production at 12 weeks

• Jumping height in squat jump

  Subjects perform a test protocol on a sledge apparatus, consisting of squat jumps (SJ), countermovement jumps (CMJ), and drop jumps (DJ). The inclination of the sledge is 20° to horizontal. The seat of the sledge is inclined backwards (130°). A force platform is built in perpendicular to the jumping direction. A speed sensor is attached to the seat of the sledge, which is used to assess the transition point between braking and push-off phases and to calculate jumping height (in cm).

  Change from baseline in jumping height at 12 weeks

• Jumping height in countermovement jump

  Subjects perform a test protocol on a sledge apparatus, consisting of squat jumps (SJ), countermovement jumps (CMJ), and drop jumps (DJ). The inclination of the sledge is 20° to horizontal. The seat of the sledge is inclined backwards (130°). A force platform is built in perpendicular to the jumping direction. A speed sensor is attached to the seat of the sledge, which is used to assess the transition point between braking and push-off phases and to calculate jumping height (in cm).

  Change from baseline in jumping height at 12 weeks

• Jumping height in drop jump

  Subjects perform a test protocol on a sledge apparatus, consisting of squat jumps (SJ), countermovement jumps (CMJ), and drop jumps (DJ). The inclination of the sledge is 20° to horizontal. The seat of the sledge is inclined backwards (130°). A force platform is built in perpendicular to the jumping direction. A speed sensor is attached to the seat of the sledge, which is used to assess the transition point between braking and push-off phases and to calculate jumping height (in cm).

  Change from baseline in jumping height at 12 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (8)

• Leg press one-repetition maximum

  Change from baseline in leg press 1-RM at 12 weeks

• Maximal isometric strength

  Change from baseline in maximal isometric strength at 12 weeks

• Maximal isokinetic strength

  Change from baseline in maximal isokinetic strength at 12 weeks

• Stair Climbing performance

  Change from baseline in Stair Climbing performance at 12 weeks

• Gait speed

  Change from baseline in gait speed at 12 weeks

Study Arms (3)

Plyometric exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

12-week progressive exercise program, consisting of plyometric exercises such as countermovement jump, forward and sideways step-up.

Other: Exercise intervention

Resistance exercise

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

12-week resistance exercise program for the leg muscles (2-4 sets of 8-15 repetitions at 8-15RM, leg press, leg extension, calve extension).

Other: Exercise intervention

Walking

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

12-week progressive walking program.

Other: Exercise intervention

Interventions

Exercise intervention OTHER

12-week progressive training intervention

Plyometric exercise; Resistance exercise; Walking

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years - 80 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may not qualify if:

• No systematic engagement in (resistance) exercise in the 12-months prior to participation
• Cardiovascular disease
• Neurological disorders
• Cognitive malfunctioning
• Severe knee or hip problems

Sponsors & Collaborators

• KU Leuven: lead

Study Sites (1)

Department of Movement Sciences

Leuven, 3001, Belgium

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 17, 2018
• First Posted: August 24, 2018
• Study Start: January 29, 2018
• Primary Completion: June 19, 2018
• Study Completion: June 19, 2018
• Last Updated: August 24, 2018

Record last verified: 2018-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

BE (1)