Physiological effects of concurrent training in elderly men

• Published in: International journal of sports medicine Vol. 31; no. 10; p. 689
• Main Authors: Cadore, E L, Pinto, R S, Lhullier, F L R, Correa, C S, Alberton, C L, Pinto, S S, Almeida, A P V, Tartaruga, M P, Silva, E M, Kruel, L F M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01-10-2010
• Subjects: Aged; Bicycling - physiology; Ergometry; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle Strength - physiology; Physical Endurance - physiology; Resistance Training - methods; Testosterone - blood
• ISSN: 1439-3964
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1261895

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of concurrent strength and endurance training on neuromuscular and hormonal parameters in elderly men. 23 healthy men (65±4 years) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: concurrent (CG, n=8), strength (SG, n=8) or endurance group (EG, n=7). The programs consisted, of strength training, endurance training on a cycle ergometer or a combination of both in the same session 3 times per week over a duration of 12 weeks. Subjects were evaluated on parameters related to muscle strength, muscle activation and serum hormones. There were significant increases in lower-body strength in all groups (P<0.05), with higher increases in SG (67%) than CG (41%) and both were higher than EG (25%) (p<0.01). Only SG and CG increased upper-body strength (p<0.01), with no significant difference between the 2 groups. Furthermore, there were significant decreases in free testosterone in EG after training. Significant increases in isometric strength and maximal muscle activation (p<0.05) as well as decreases in the submaximal muscle activation to the same load, were only seen in SG (p<0.05). The present results suggest that the interference effect observed due to concurrent strength and endurance training could be related to impairment of neural adaptations.