Combined Aerobic And Resistance Training In The Elderly

PURPOSE: Prescribing aerobic and resistance training in conjunction is proposed as an optimum strategy to target cardiovascular as well as musculoskeletal functions in the elderly. However, few studies have examined the effects of intra-session exercise order on arterial stiffness in the elderly. This study investigated the effects of aerobic exercise before and after resistance training on arterial stiffness, body composition, and muscle strength in older men. METHODS: Forty-five older men (70.5±3.5 years) were randomly assigned to one of three groups that performed aerobic exercise first (AR: 16), performed resistance training first (RA: 16), and did not perform any training (CON: 13). The AR and RT groups performed aerobic exercise consisted of cycling at 60% heart rate reserve (HRR) and resistance training consisted of 5 types of exercises (leg curl, leg press, chest press, seated row, shoulder press) at 70-80% one repetition maximum (1RM) twice a week for 10-week. Body composition was evaluated by height, weight, body fat percentage, lean body mass and waist circumference. Muscle strength was measured by 1RM and arterial stiffness was evaluated by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV). Pre- and post-intervention group comparisons were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA with repeated measures. RESULTS: A significant group difference was observed in cfPWV (F=3.464, P=0.042). cfPWV significantly reduced in the RA group (9.3±2.1 m/s to 8.2±1.9 m/s,P<0.05), while did not change in the AR group (8.4±2.1 m/s to 8.7±1.5 m/s, P=0.413). Significant group differences were observed in all exercise types (leg press: F=9.814, P=0.001; leg curl: F=26.667, P=0.001; chest press: F=17.223, P=0.001; seated row: F=15.648, P=0.001; shoulder press: F=13.244, P=0.001), and waist circumference (F=10.516, P=0.001). However, there were no significant differences between AR and RA. CONCLUSION: Based on our results, aerobic exercise after resistance training reduced arterial stiffness and a difference of intra-session exercise order was observed.