Effects Resistance Training on Motor Control and Cognition

Introduction: In the course of ageing, physical abilities decline and consequently there is an increase in risk of falling and fall incidences. Notwithstanding, the fact that causes of falls are multifactorial, losses in lower-extremity muscle strength, power and balance seem to be the most prominent intrinsic (i.e., person-related) fall risk factors in older adults. Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses highlighted the positive effects of resistance and balance training when applied as a single means, on measures of leg muscle strength, power and balance in older adults. Recently, it was shown that a simultaneously executed balance and resistance training, namely resistance training on uneven surfaces is an eligible, effective and safe alternative training program to mitigate intrinsic fall risk factors in older adults. Based on several investigations, it can be safely assumed that exercises conducted on unstable devices activate smaller muscles and stabilising function of bigger muscle groups. This facilitates torque and power transfer from lower to upper extremeties and is possibly responsible for similar effects as compared to stable resistance training despite lower loads. However, it is unknown if resistance training targeting adductor and abductor muscles induces similar results as compared to resistance training conducted on uneven surfaces. Moreover, physical activity has proven to affect cognitive measures positively, especially executive functions. It has yet to be determined to what extent different kinds of resistance training affect executive functions.

Methods/Design: This study is a three-arm, 10-week RCT with a 10-week no-contact follow-up. Participants were randomly allocated (1:1) to either: 1) machine-based stable resistance training (M-SRT); 2) free-weight unstable resistance training (F-URT); 3) machine-based adductor and abductor resistance training. The design and reporting of this study follows the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) 2010 Statement for parallel group randomised trials.

Setting Participants are recruited from the communities in and around Kassel, Germany. Screening visits, measurement sessions, and the interventions are held at the Insitute of Sports and Sports Science / University of Kassel, Germany.

Recruitment strategies: Recruitment is carried out by placing 1) an advertisement in the local newspaper, 2) during a public information meeting at the local town hall and 3) word of mouth. Interested individuals contact the study coordinator by phone, where they are provided with a brief description of the study. If responses suggest study eligibility then interested individuals are invited to attend a formal in-person screening visit.

Participants:Older adults are eligible if they: 1) are aged between 65 and 80 years old 2) and able to walk independently for more than 10m. An a priori power analysis using G*Power 3.1 with an assumed type I error of .05 and a type II error of .10 (90% statistical power, correlation among groups: .5, nonsphericity correction: 1) was computed to determine an appropriate sample size to detect medium (.50 ≤ d ≤ .79) interaction effects. The calculations were based on a study assessing the effects of core strength training using unstable devices on older adults. The analysis revealed the requirement of 54 participants (18 per group) to obtain medium "time x group" interaction effects. Considering the likelihood of dropouts, at least 83 participants are going to be recruited to compensate for a possible dropout rate of ~20%.

Interventions: All intervention groups train for ten weeks, twice per week on non-consecutive days for 60 minutes each. The 10-week intervention period consistes of a one week introductory phase and three major training blocks lasting three weeks each. Training intensity is progressively and individually increased over the 10-week training program by modulating load and sets for all groups and level of instability for F-URT. After week one (50 %), four (60%), and seven (70%) the training load (weight) is increased following one repetition maximum (1-RM) testing for each major exercise. M-SRT followes a 'traditional' machine-based stable resistance training program, including squats with a smith-machine and a leg press. F-URT conducts squats and front lunges on unstable devices. M-ART uses adductor and abductor strength training machines. All three intervention groups conduct a resistance training program consisting of two main exercises, a preparation and cool-down phase. Participants perform ten minutes of low-intensity stepping on a stair-walker as a brief warm-up at the beginning of each training session, followed by the resistance exercises and walking on a treadmill as cool-down. Training under unstable surface conditions, especially with additional weight, implies a certain degree of accident risk. Due to this factor, all instability exercises are observed by instructors and secured with additional aids like boxes. Training is supervised by skilled instructors at all times. For the first two weeks the participant to instructor ratio will be 5:1, thereafter 10:1.

Outcome assessment: Outcomes are measured at baseline, 10 weeks (intervention endpoint) and 20 weeks (study endpoint). Measurement sessions are conducted on one day.

Baseline data: Baseline measurements are obtained prior to randomisation. In addition to the measurements described below, the following are also collected: demographic and general health characteristics; medical history and medications; anthropometrics and rate of falls / near falls.