Effects of Progressive Walking and Stair-Climbing Training Program on Muscle Size and Strength of the Lower Body in Untrained Older Adults

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of the progressive walking program on lower limb muscle size and strength and evaluated whether the stair-climbing exercise provided additional training effects when combined with the walking program. Fifteen elderly subjects (age 69 ± 1 years, height 1.63 ± 0.02 m, body weight 64.5 ± 2.0 kg) were randomly assigned to a walking group or a walking and stair-climbing group. The progressive walking program comprised continuous (week 1-8) and interval (week 9-17) exercises. The walking and stair-climbing group also performed stair climbing. Muscle thickness, strength, and walking performance were evaluated before and 8 and 17 weeks after the start of the program. The muscle thickness of the anterior and posterior parts of the thigh significantly (p < 0.05) increased in both groups. There was also a significant (p < 0.01) main effect of time in isometric maximal strength and the values expressed relative to body mass for both knee extension and flexion. However, no group × time interactions were noted. Furthermore, the percentage change of knee flexion strength after the training period was significantly (p < 0.01) correlated with the pre-intervention value. Seventeen weeks of the progressive walking program can increase thigh muscle size and strength for older adults; however, an added stair-climbing exercise may not provide additional training effects. Furthermore, the magnitude of improvement in knee flexion strength would depend on the pre-intervention value.

Keywords: Aged; ambulation; muscles; stair climbing; strength.

© Journal of Sports Science and Medicine.

Figures

Figure 1.

Changes in muscle thickness of the lower limbs in both groups. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation. (A) AT; anterior aspect of the thigh, (B) PT; posterior aspect of the thigh, (C) AL; anterior aspect of the lower leg, (D) PL; posterior aspect of the lower leg.

Figure 2.

Changes in muscle strength of the lower limbs and physical fitness in both groups. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation. (A) Knee extension strength. (B) Knee flexion strength. (C) 10-m walking test.

Figure 3.

The relationship between knee flexion strength before training and change in knee flexion strength after the training period.