Improved Muscle Strength, Muscle Power, and Physical Function After Flywheel Resistance Training in Healthy Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Sanudo, B, de Hoyo, M, and McVeigh, JG. Improved muscle strength, muscle power, and physical function after flywheel resistance training in healthy older adults: A randomized controlled trial. J Strength Cond Res 36(1): 252-258, 2022-This study aimed to examine whether flywheel resistance exercise training improved muscle strength, muscle power, and physical function in older adults. Thirty-six older adults (64 +/- 5 years) were randomly allocated to either a flywheel resistance exercise training group (ETG; n = 18) or a control (CON) group (n = 18). Subjects in the ETG underwent 6 weeks of resistance training on a flywheel squat device (4 sets of 9 maximal repetitions). Isokinetic concentric (60 and 240 degrees center dot s(-1)) and eccentric (120 degrees center dot s(-1)) knee extension and flexion peak torques and mean power were measured. Physical function was assessed by the 30-second Chair Sit-Stand Test (CST) and walking speed. After the intervention, within-group analyses showed significantly greater flexion torques and mean power with the dominant leg (concentric at 60 degrees center dot s(-1) and 240 degrees center dot s(-1) and eccentric at 120 degrees center dot s(-1); all d > 0.7, p < 0.05) and improvements in CST (d > 0.8) in the ETG, while no substantial differences were found in the CON group. Significant between-group differences in knee flexion torque both concentric (at 60 degrees center dot s(-1): eta(2) = 0.168 and 240 degrees center dot s(-1): eta(2) = 0.112) and eccentric (at 120 degrees center dot s(-1): eta(2) = 0.103) with the dominant leg were also found in favor of the ETG. There was also significantly better performance in the CST for the ETG (eta(2) = 0.207). There was a significant association between changes in strength and changes in mean power in the ETG. Changes in physical function outcomes were also observed. In conclusion, flywheel resistance exercise training is an appropriate form of activity for improving strength and functional capacity of older adults.

Automated summary

Flywheel resistance training has been shown to significantly improve muscle strength, muscle power, and physical function in older adults. The study found that the intervention group had greater improvements in muscle torque, mean power, and physical function compared to the control group. Changes in strength were associated with changes in mean power, and improvements in physical function were observed.