The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of HSRT and LSRT on physical function in adults with sarcopenic obesity.
A total of 73 participants were recruited and randomly assigned to the control group (n=26), LSRT group (n=24), and HSRT (n=23). Inclusion criteria included (1) being over 50 years old and (2) having sarcopenia and obesity. Exclusion criteria included regular resistance exercise habits or diseases preventing participation in exercise tests and training. All participants underwent 4 physical function tests: timed up-and-go (TUG), 30-second chair stand (30-s CST), 5-repetition chair stand (5-rep CST), and stair climbing (SCT) before and after 8 and 16 weeks of intervention. LSRT and HSRT groups performed progressive resistance training (70% one-repetition maximum) twice weekly for 16 weeks with five exercises: chest press, upright row, squat, knee extension, and hip abduction, performed for 3 sets each. The LSRT group completed the concentric contraction in 3-4 seconds, while the HSRT group completed them as fast as possible (within 1 second). The control group maintained their lifestyle for 16 weeks. Two-way ANOVA with repeated measures was used to examine the intervention effects, with significance set at 0.05.
The average age of all participants was 65.9±5.8 years. There were no significant differences in age, percentage of body fat, skeletal muscle index, and all physical function tests among the three groups at baseline. Compared to the control group, both 8 weeks of LSRT and HSRT significantly improved performance in the TUG, SCT, and 30-s CST (p0.05). However, only the LSRT group showed better performance in the 30-s CST at 16-week compared to 8-week. There were no additional improvements in TUG and SCT between 8 weeks and 16 weeks of LSRT and HSRT. In addition, compared to the control group, both 8 weeks of LSRT and HSRT showed a trend to improve 5-rep CST performance (p=0.072). Interestingly, only the HSRT group showed a trend toward better 5-rep CST performance at 16-week compared to 8-week.
Both 16 weeks of high-speed and low-speed resistance training enhanced physical function in adults with sarcopenic obesity. Specifically, LSRT enhances endurance-related physical function (30-s CST), whereas HSRT enhances power-related physical function (5-rep CST).
Our findings provide intervention directions for the sarcopenic obese population. Both LSRT and HSRT improve physical function in adults with sarcopenic obesity. However, LSRT might enhance muscle endurance-related functions more than HSRT.
muscle power
muscle endurance
