Effects of High-speed Elastic Band Training on Physical Fitness and Muscle Function in Rural Community-dwelling Elderly: a Single-blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Aging related decrease in muscle strength and flexibility leads to functional loss of physical ability. Power training is known to improve these capacities and helps in performing daily routine better. Therefore, we modified previously proven and certified sarcopenia intervention exercise for elderly in rural community and applied them to examine the effects on physical fitness and muscle functions to show its applicability. METHODS: Subjects were divided into control and exercise group using single-blind method. Exercise group underwent high-speed elastic band training(concentric contraction in 1 second) 2 days per week for 12 weeks. Before and after the intervention, we performed body composition analysis, anthropometric measurement, blood test, blood pressure check, senior fitness test (SFT), upper body and lower body strength examination. Korean version of Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (K-PASE), and Center for Epidemiological Studies- Depression Scale (CES-D) were also assessed. RESULTS: Body weight in control group was significantly increased (Paired t-test: P=0.008), although it was consistent in exercise group (GroupxTime: P=0.013). 30-second chair stand (P<0.001) and 30-second arm curl (P<0.001) of the senior fitness test were also significantly improved in exercise group compared to control. In addition, muscle strength of knee flexion (P=0.034) and K-PASE score (P<0.001) were improved in training group with statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The modified high-speed elastic band training for rural elderly improved muscle strength and daily physical performance. This result suggests a simple and easy to perform band training could be an excellent solution to prevent sarcopenia in rural elderly. It also supports the evidence that this program would be widely distributed.

Effects of 12 Weeks High-Speed Elastic Band Training on Cognitive Function, Physical Performance and Muscle Strength in Older Women with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Exercise has shown to slow down the progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to dementia. In particular, not only resistance exercise has been verified to improve physical performance and muscle strength, leading to the prevention of fall-related injuries in the frail elderly, but also cognitive function. In this study, we investigated how high-speed elastic band training, applied using a high-speed power training protocol, affects cognition, physical performance and muscle strength of female elderly individuals with MCI. METHODS: Thirty-nine subjects diagnosed with MCI from one senior college using a Korean version of mini-mental state examination (MMSE-K) and a Korean version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-K) were randomly divided into exercise group (n=20) and control group (n=19). The exercise group completed a 12-week high-speed resistance elastic band exercise program and was encouraged to exercise at home as well during the intervention period. RESULTS: The results showed significant increases in cognitive function, physical performance and muscle strength assessed by digit span forward test (P<0.001), digit span backward test (P=0.003), the Stroop test B (P=0.031), SPPB scores (P=0.010), right knee 60degrees extensor peak torque (P=0.004), 60degrees flexor peak torque (P=0.001), 180degrees extensor peak torque (P=0.020) and grip strength (P=0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that participants with MCI who continued the high-speed elastic band training program for 12 weeks showed improvements in cognitive function, physical performance and muscle strength.