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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03645772

Plyometric Exercise to Improve Rapid Force Production in Older Men

Rapid force production declines as a consequence of ageing. Given the functional relevance of rapid force production, exercise interventions in older adults should aim at improving the capacity to produce force rapidly. To improve this capacity, exercises should be performed with the intention to develop high speeds, as supported by previous work.

Human locomotion fundamentally consists of multi-joint movements and rapidly coupled eccentric-concentric muscle actions, known as stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) activities or plyometrics. Plyometrics might therefore be used to optimize power production. However, there is limited research on the feasibility of plyometrics in older adults and its potential effects on rapid force production and functional capacity. This study will test the feasibility of a 12-week plyometric exercise intervention in older men and compare its effects on rapid force production to a traditional resistance exercise or walking intervention.

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Key information

Conditions

Exercise Training

Age range

65 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Department of Movement Sciences

Leuven, 3001, Belgium

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

-

Exclusion criteria

  • No systematic engagement in (resistance) exercise in the 12-months prior to participation
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Neurological disorders
  • Cognitive malfunctioning
  • Severe knee or hip problems

Treatment and study plan

Exercise intervention

Other

12-week progressive training intervention

Primary outcomes

  1. Rapid force production

    Time frame: Change from baseline in rapid force production at 12 weeks

    Subjects perform a test protocol on a sledge apparatus, consisting of explosive isometric voluntary contractions for the leg-extensor muscles of the right leg. The inclination of the sledge is 20° to horizontal. The seat of the sledge is inclined backwards (130°). The knee joint angle is set at 90° and the hip angle at 70°. The point of force application is aligned with the head of the fifth metatarsal. Subjects are instructed to kick as fast and as hard as possible and maintain their maximum force for approximately 3s. The rate of force development (N/s) is defined as the linear slope of the force-time curve and is measured from the onset of movement till 100 ms.

  2. Jumping height in squat jump

    Time frame: Change from baseline in jumping height at 12 weeks

    Subjects perform a test protocol on a sledge apparatus, consisting of squat jumps (SJ), countermovement jumps (CMJ), and drop jumps (DJ). The inclination of the sledge is 20° to horizontal. The seat of the sledge is inclined backwards (130°). A force platform is built in perpendicular to the jumping direction. A speed sensor is attached to the seat of the sledge, which is used to assess the transition point between braking and push-off phases and to calculate jumping height (in cm).

  3. Jumping height in countermovement jump

    Time frame: Change from baseline in jumping height at 12 weeks

    Subjects perform a test protocol on a sledge apparatus, consisting of squat jumps (SJ), countermovement jumps (CMJ), and drop jumps (DJ). The inclination of the sledge is 20° to horizontal. The seat of the sledge is inclined backwards (130°). A force platform is built in perpendicular to the jumping direction. A speed sensor is attached to the seat of the sledge, which is used to assess the transition point between braking and push-off phases and to calculate jumping height (in cm).

  4. Jumping height in drop jump

    Time frame: Change from baseline in jumping height at 12 weeks

    Subjects perform a test protocol on a sledge apparatus, consisting of squat jumps (SJ), countermovement jumps (CMJ), and drop jumps (DJ). The inclination of the sledge is 20° to horizontal. The seat of the sledge is inclined backwards (130°). A force platform is built in perpendicular to the jumping direction. A speed sensor is attached to the seat of the sledge, which is used to assess the transition point between braking and push-off phases and to calculate jumping height (in cm).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Leg press one-repetition maximum

    Time frame: Change from baseline in leg press 1-RM at 12 weeks

    Leg press one-repetition maximum is defined as the maximum weight (in kg) that the subject can push on a leg press device (Signature Series Leg press Life Fitness).

  2. Maximal isometric strength

    Time frame: Change from baseline in maximal isometric strength at 12 weeks

    Maximal strength (Nm) is measured by means of unilateral isometric knee-extensor tests on a Biodex dynamometer.

  3. Maximal isokinetic strength

    Time frame: Change from baseline in maximal isokinetic strength at 12 weeks

    Maximal strength (Nm) is measured by means of unilateral isokinetic knee-extensor tests on a Biodex dynamometer.

  4. Stair Climbing performance

    Time frame: Change from baseline in Stair Climbing performance at 12 weeks

    Stair ascent duration (in s), the time needed to ascent a flight of stairs.

  5. Gait speed

    Time frame: Change from baseline in gait speed at 12 weeks

    The average speed to walk 10m as fast as possible (in m/s).

  6. 5 repetition sit-to-stand test

    Time frame: Change from baseline in sit-to-stand duration at 12 weeks

    The time needed to perform 5 sit-to-stand transitions (in s).

  7. 6 minute walk distance

    Time frame: Change from baseline in 6min walk distance at 12 weeks

    The walk distance (in m) covered in 6 min.

  8. Balance

    Time frame: Change from baseline in balance at 12 weeks

    Overall balance performance is assessed using the total length of the sway path divided by duration of the measurement (mm/s) in a 30s balance test on a balance board.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

KU Leuven

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Plyometric Exercise to Improve Rapid Force Production in Older Men: a Pilot Intervention

Important dates

Study start
2018
Primary completion
2018
Study completion
2018
First posted
Aug 24, 2018
Registry last updated
Aug 24, 2018

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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