Power or Plyometric Training in Older Adults

NCT06821321 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 20241358
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 48
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study will compare the effects of high-speed power resistance training or plyometric jump training on muscle stiffness, jump performance and measures of daily activity in older adults living independently in the community.

Conditions

Activity, Motor

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (7)

• Change in Quadriceps Muscle Stiffness measured by Kilopascals

  For muscle stiffness, three images will be taken in the longitudinal view in shear wave mode to assess stiffness of the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and rectus femoris muscles. Color-coded images with a scale from blue (soft) to red (hard) will then be generated depending on muscle stiffness. Imaging software will then convert the wave speed data into a stiffness measures called kilopascals.

  Baseline, 10 weeks

• Change in Triceps Surae Muscle Stiffness measured by Kilopascals

  For muscle stiffness, three images will be taken in the longitudinal view in shear wave mode to assess stiffness of the gastrocnemius lateralis, gastrocnemius medialis and soleus muscles. Color-coded images with a scale from blue (soft) to red (hard) will then be generated depending on muscle stiffness. Imaging software will then convert the wave speed data into a stiffness measures called kilopascals.

  Baseline, 10 weeks

• Change in Quadriceps Tendon Stiffness measured by Kilopascals

  For tendon stiffness, three images will be taken in the longitudinal view in shear wave mode to assess stiffness of the quadriceps tendon. Color-coded images with a scale from blue (soft) to red (hard) will then be generated depending on tendon stiffness. Imaging software will then convert the wave speed data into a stiffness measures called kilopascals.

  Baseline, 12 weeks

• Change in Patellar Tendon Stiffness measured by Kilopascals

  For tendon stiffness, three images will be taken in the longitudinal view in shear wave mode to assess stiffness of the patellar tendon. Color-coded images with a scale from blue (soft) to red (hard) will then be generated depending on tendon stiffness. Imaging software will then convert the wave speed data into a stiffness measures called kilopascals.

  Baseline, 12 weeks

• Change in Achilles Tendon Stiffness measured by Kilopascals

  For tendon stiffness, three images will be taken in the longitudinal view in shear wave mode to assess stiffness of the Achilles tendon. Color-coded images with a scale from blue (soft) to red (hard) will then be generated depending on tendon stiffness. Imaging software will then convert the wave speed data into a stiffness measures called kilopascals.

  Baseline, 12 weeks

• Changes in Stored Elastic Energy measured by joules

  For assessment of stored elastic energy, subjects will perform a Squat Jump and a Countermovement Jump on the force platform. The Squat Jump will be performed with the subject starting in a squatted position at the knee angle of approximately 90 degrees. The subject will hold that position for 1-2 s, and then jump into the air with maximal effort. For the Countermovement Jump, the subject will start in an upright position, rapidly squat down and then jump into the air with maximal effort. For both jumps, subject's hand will be held at the waist to eliminate the effect resulting from arm swing during jump performance. For each jump, three trials will be conducted with 1 min rests between trials. For safety, an experienced assistant will stand alongside each subject while performing the test to prevent injury. Energy will be measured in Joules.

  Baseline, 12 weeks

• Change in Gait Economy

  Gait Economy will be measured using oxygen consumption on a treadmill at each subject's usual walking speed, one-half of the maximal walking speed, and 75% of the maximal walking speed. Each bout will last 5 minutes, with a 3-minute standing rest between bouts. Oxygen consumptions for the last 2 minutes of each bout will be used to compute energy cost and determine gait economy. Gait economy will be assessed as the oxygen used at each of the three walking speeds measured in milliliters of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute.

  Baseline, 12 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (9)

• Change in Muscle Thickness measured in centimeters

  Baseline, 12 weeks

• Change in Muscle Quality measured using grayscale

  Baseline, 12 weeks

• Change in neuromuscular performance as measured by 1-repetition maximum (1RM).

  Baseline, 12 weeks

• Change in the Speed of the Ten-Meter Walk Test.

  Baseline, 12 weeks

• Change in Time for the Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test.

  Baseline, 12 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Plyometric Training

OTHER

Participants in this group will receive plyometric training for up to 12 weeks.

Behavioral: Plyometric Training

Power Resistance Training

OTHER

Participants in this group will receive power resistance training for up to 12 weeks.

Behavioral: Power Training

Interventions

Plyometric Training BEHAVIORAL

Participants will receive a total of twenty-four 45-minutes in-person resistance-training sessions, twice per week, using three sets of eight repetitions per set on five upper body exercises. During resistance-training participants will be allowed 1-minute rests between sets. Participants will also perform two jump training exercises on a horizontal Pilates reformer, the leg plyometric and ankle plantar plyometric jumps.

Plyometric Training

Power Training BEHAVIORAL

Participants will receive a total of twenty-four 45-minutes in-person training sessions, twice per week using three sets of eight repetitions per set. During training participants will be allowed 1-minute rests between sets. Exercises will include five upper-body exercises and two lower-body exercises.

Power Resistance Training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 55 Years - 90 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Independently living
• Between 55-90 years of age

You may not qualify if:

• Uncontrolled cardiovascular disease that prevents participation in a training program.
• Documented HIV infection or another immunodeficiency syndrome.
• Current neuromuscular diseases that prevent exercise.
• Current musculoskeletal injury that prevents exercise.
• Incarcerated individuals
• Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Score below 18

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Miami: lead

Study Sites (1)

Laboratory of Neruomuscular Research and Active Aging

Coral Gables, Florida, 33147, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Motor Activity

Interventions

Plyometric Exercise

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Exercise Therapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Physical Conditioning, Human; Exercise; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Officials

• Joseph F. Signorile, PhD

  University of Miami

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

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

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 6, 2025
• First Posted: February 11, 2025
• Study Start: August 13, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 30, 2025
• Study Completion: December 30, 2025
• Last Updated: April 22, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)