Chronic Effects of Different Types of Neuromuscular Training on Hemodynamic Responses Estimated VO 2max , and Walking Performance in Older People

This paper investigated the effects over time of different forms of neuromuscular training on hemodynamic responses, the estimated VO 2max , and walking performance. 105 older adults were randomly organized into three groups: RG A , RG B , and the Control Group (CG). RG A and RG B did 4 weeks of adaptation phase training and 12 weeks of intervention with different loads: moderate loads for RG B . and higher loads for RG A . A pre- and post-evaluation of the resting heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), double product (DP), estimated VO 2max , and walking performance were assessed. Significant differences were observed for SBP, DBP, HR, and DP. For SBP, a post-evaluation reduction was observed only in RG A ( p = 0.007) and when comparing RG A with the Control Group ( p < 0.000). For the absolute VO 2max, a significant improvement was seen in RG B compared to RG A ( p = 0.037) and CG ( p < 0.000). For the relative VO 2max, RG B scored significantly higher than RG A ( p < 0.000) and CG ( p < 0.000), post-intervention. For the walk test, a significant reduction in completion times was observed for RG A ( p = 0.027) and RG B ( p < 0.000), and for RG B compared to RG A ( p = 0.000) and CG ( p < 0.000). Resistance training can be an excellent strategy for hemodynamic and cardiorespiratory improvement in the elderly.