Effects of Overload Eccentric and Concentric Resistance Training on the Cost of Walking, Muscle-tendon and Jumping Performance in Healthy Older Individuals

NCT06838481 | Active Not Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: TE-KEB/No11/2024
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 100
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Normal aging leads to a decline in neuromuscular and mobility functions, including a 60% reduction in maximal voluntary force production, a 25% decrease in muscle volume and quality (sarcopenia), and reduced tendon stiffness by age 70. These changes impair walking speed, balance, and increase the metabolic cost of walking by \~20% in older adults compared to younger individuals. While walking training can reduce metabolic costs, no interventions have successfully addressed the 20% age-related difference. Resistance training, particularly eccentric (muscle-lengthening) training, shows promise for improving muscle strength and mass, but its effects on functional, cognitive abilities, and walking economy in older adults remain unexplored.

Conditions

Healthy Older Adults

Keywords

Resistance training; cost of walking; cost of transfer; balance; countermovement jump; SSC

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Walking metabolic cost

  Assessed using spirometry at different speeds (J/kg/m)

  Through study completion, an average of 1.5 year

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Maximum isometric voluntary contraction

  Through study completion, an average of 1.5 year

• Patella and Achilles tendon stiffness

  Through study completion, an average of 1.5 year

• Vastus lateralis and Gastrocnemius muscle thickness & tendon thickness

  Through study completion, an average of 1.5 year

• Whole leg muscle mass

  Through study completion, an average of 1.5 year

• Jump efficiency

  Through study completion, an average of 1.5 year

Study Arms (3)

Concentric overload resistance training

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Receive Concentric overload resistance training

Other: Concentric overload resistance training

Eccentric overload resistance training

EXPERIMENTAL

Receive Eccentric overload resistance training

Other: Eccentric overload resistance training

Active control group

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

walking intervention

Other: Active Control

Interventions

Concentric overload resistance training OTHER

* Resistance training groups will train 2-3 times per week for 3 months using specialized TechnoGym machines. * Exercises include Concentric leg press, knee extension, and ankle plantarflexion in a progressive loading program following American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) \& National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) guidelines. * Heart rate, blood pressure, and perceived exertion will be monitored during each session.

Also known as: active control

Concentric overload resistance training

Eccentric overload resistance training OTHER

* Resistance training groups will train 2-3 times per week for 3 months using specialized TechnoGym machines. * Exercises include Eccentric leg press, knee extension, and ankle plantarflexion in a progressive loading program following American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) \& National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) guidelines. * Heart rate, blood pressure, and perceived exertion will be monitored during each session.

Eccentric overload resistance training

Active Control OTHER

Walking

Active control group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 60 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Healthy men and women aged 60+ (intervention study).
• No significant cognitive or cardiovascular impairments.

You may not qualify if:

• Acute injuries or history of severe tendon injuries (Achilles or patellar tendon rupture).
• Tendinopathy or chronic musculoskeletal disorders.
• Hypertension, unless controlled with medication.
• Neurological or psychiatric disorders (dementia, mild cognitive impairment).
• Metabolic diseases affecting muscle/tendon function,

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hungarian University of Sports Science: lead
• Semmelweis University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Hungarian University of Sports Science, Budapest, Hungary

Budapest XII., Budapest, 1037, Hungary

Location

Related Publications (6)

• Malatesta D, Canepa M, Menendez Fernandez A. The effect of treadmill and overground walking on preferred walking speed and gait kinematics in healthy, physically active older adults. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2017 Sep;117(9):1833-1843. doi: 10.1007/s00421-017-3672-3. Epub 2017 Jul 7.

  PMID: 28687953 BACKGROUND

• Thomas EE, De Vito G, Macaluso A. Speed training with body weight unloading improves walking energy cost and maximal speed in 75- to 85-year-old healthy women. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2007 Nov;103(5):1598-603. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00399.2007. Epub 2007 Sep 6.

  PMID: 17823302 BACKGROUND

• Valenti G, Bonomi AG, Westerterp KR. Multicomponent Fitness Training Improves Walking Economy in Older Adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2016 Jul;48(7):1365-70. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000000893.

  PMID: 26848888 BACKGROUND

• Hunter GR, Fisher G, Neumeier WH, Carter SJ, Plaisance EP. Exercise Training and Energy Expenditure following Weight Loss. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2015 Sep;47(9):1950-7. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000000622.

  PMID: 25606816 BACKGROUND

• Hunter GR, McCarthy JP, Bryan DR, Zuckerman PA, Bamman MM, Byrne NM. Increased strength and decreased flexibility are related to reduced oxygen cost of walking. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2008 Nov;104(5):895-901. doi: 10.1007/s00421-008-0846-z. Epub 2008 Aug 29.

  PMID: 18758805 BACKGROUND

• Godges JJ, MacRae PG, Engelke KA. Effects of exercise on hip range of motion, trunk muscle performance, and gait economy. Phys Ther. 1993 Jul;73(7):468-77. doi: 10.1093/ptj/73.7.468.

  PMID: 8316580 BACKGROUND

Study Officials

• Prof. DR. Tibor Hortobágyi Hortobágyi

  Hungarian University of Sports Science, Department of Kinesioogy, Budapest, Hungary

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: QUADRUPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD Student Semmelweis University

Model Details: Cross-Sectional Component: Purpose: To assess baseline muscle-tendon function, metabolic function, and other relevant measures in older adults. Design: Observational, providing a snapshot of the participants' characteristics before the intervention. Longitudinal Intervention Component: Purpose: To examine the effects of different training interventions over time and assess retention effects. Design: A three-arm parallel-group randomized controlled trial (RCT) with pre- and post-intervention assessments.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 9, 2025
• First Posted: February 20, 2025
• Study Start: May 15, 2024
• Primary Completion: December 15, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 15, 2026
• Last Updated: February 20, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF, CSR, ANALYTIC CODE
• Time Frame: 15 May 2026

Locations

HU (1)